What is Patch Management?

Patch management works to secure your endpoints from vulnerabilities and ensure your systems are running perfectly. Patch Management does this by applying updates to software, drivers, and firmware throughout your network.

Patching is also a process to repair a vulnerability or a flaw that is identified after the release of an application or software. Newly released patches by the respective vendors can fix a bug or a security flaw and can help to enhance applications with new features, and fix security vulnerabilities.

Without a proper patch management process, you are exposed to vulnerabilities, including loss of valuable data, productivity, and industry reputation. Effective patch management is key to ensuring your team stays productive, and systems continue to work year-round.

Why Patch Management is Important for MSPs and Enterprises?

Patching not only keeps systems and applications running smoothly, but it’s also one of the core activities involved in keeping today’s organizations secure. Leaving machines unpatched makes them vulnerable to cyber-attacks.

Keeping all of your servers and PCs up to date can be time-consuming and difficult for firms with several servers and computers. Manually managing these updates is not only inconvenient but also poses a significant risk to enterprises. Consider the following critical elements concerning Patch Management for MSPs and enterprises:

Patch management is important for the following key reasons:

  • Security: Patch management fixes vulnerabilities on your software and applications that are susceptible to cyber-attacks, helping your organization reduce its security risk.
  • System Uptime: Patch management ensures your software and applications are kept up-to-date and run smoothly, supporting system uptime.
  • Compliance: With the continued rise in cyber-attacks, organizations are often required by regulatory bodies to maintain a certain level of compliance. Patch management is a necessary piece of adhering to compliance standards.
  • Feature Improvements: Patch management can go beyond software bug fixes to also include feature/functionality updates. Patches can be critical to ensuring that you have the latest and greatest that a product has to offer.

Patch Managament Process

This section includes following topics: