The importance of patch management

Patching is the process of applying updates, or patches, to operating systems, software and devices, to address security flaws that could leave your organization vulnerable to cyberattacks. A patch is a piece of code that is designed to fix security weaknesses or faults in existing software. Patches can be applied manually by IT security teams, system administrators or by an automated tool - the latter being the more efficient solution for applying multiple security fixes across an organization.

Effective patch management should follow these steps:

• Identifying areas of your business that require patching. Vulnerability scans (VA scans) can aid the process of patching by scouring your system for known vulnerabilities, revealing any weaknesses that require patching.
• Review and test patch compatibility before applying them to your systems. Applying a patch without adequate testing could cause more harm than good, such as disabling parts of your system resulting in downtime.
• Prioritizing vulnerabilities based on their criticality, as these will be the most pertinent to address and most vulnerable to exploitation.

Patch management is crucial to secure your business from cyber threats, and it should form a fundamental part of any cybersecurity strategy. A robust patch management policy reduces the risk of cyberattacks by applying security updates to vulnerabilities that could be exploited by an attacker. The more applications and devices your business uses, the more vulnerable you are to risk, so it’s imperative to keep everything up to date.

Not only does patching strengthen your security posture, but it will also help your business stay compliant with certain standards and regulations. For example, keeping devices and software up to date is one of the five controls of Cyber Essentials. Patching is vital for data protection. Preventing data leaks from unpatched vulnerabilities will help your business avoid financial and reputational damage as a result of breaches and non-compliance.

Patch management is also essential for keeping your operating systems, applications and endpoints running at their optimum level. This will arm you with the latest features and help to improve system performance.

Unpatched systems are an acceptance of risk that could prove fatal to your organization. That is why security updates should be applied to your systems and applications as soon as it is practical. It’s only a matter of time once vulnerabilities are disclosed that attackers will find an opportunity to develop an exploit.

In 2017, when hacker group Shadow Brokers leaked the Eternal Blue exploit, it led to the devastating WannaCry ransomware attack. It was the biggest cyberattack to hit the NHS and affected unpatched Windows machines, costing the National Health Service an eye-watering £92m in damages.

The solution to avoiding data breaches and cyberattacks from unpatched vulnerabilities should start with an efficient patch management program:

• It’s important to remember that patching is an infinite process, not a point-in-time activity. It requires proactive management to ensure your systems and applications are working effectively, without the risk of being breached.
• An effective patch management plan will help to increase productivity within your company. For example, malware can slow systems down, take systems offline or render them inaccessible, and as a result, can impact productivity in the workplace. Deploying patches on time will ensure business continuity.
• Automated patch management reduces the time and effort it would take IT teams to manually search and apply missing patches. By implementing an automated patching solution that identifies, tests and deploys missing patches and security fixes, your organization will have greater peace of mind that the safety of your systems, devices and third-party software is adequately maintained.
• Patching can go beyond fixing bugs and security vulnerabilities. By regularly applying feature updates, effective patch management helps to improve product performance and functionality.
• Taking a proactive and managed approach to patching creates a more secure environment, ultimately reducing your risk of data breaches and data loss.