Patch management: Best practices and why it’s important
Patch management: Best practices and why it’s important
Patch management is the subset of systems administration that includes identifying, obtaining, testing and fixing patches or code modifications intended to remove bugs, close security holes or add features.
Patch management requires staying on available patches, deciding which patches are needed for specific software and devices, testing them, ensuring they have been properly installed and documenting the procedure.
Furthermore, Keeping software updated with the latest security patches is vital for businesses when cyber threats are as rampant as they are today. Patch management ensures that all software is up to date and identified weaknesses have been repaired
What Is Patch Management?
Patch management is the method of allocating and applying updates to the software. These patches are often essential to correct software errors, liabilities, or bugs.
Communal areas requiring patches contain embedded systems and operating systems. When a vulnerability is found after the publication of a piece of software, a patch can be cast-off to fix it. Doing so assistances ensure that the environment is not vulnerable to exploitation.
Types Of Patches
1. Hotfix
The hotfix is a modification to an application that statements an exact situation. This update is normally one that cannot wait to be included in another future update, such as a point release.
2. Point Release
A point release is a slight release that encounters bugs in the software’s current version. These point releases do not necessarily resolve all bugs, but they characteristically include numerous bug fixes and do not include a significant amount of new features. This type of update is also more repeated than others.
3. Service Pack
A service pack is a chief release that typically includes a group of updates for bug fixes, security patches, or improvements. These are normally released when several single updates have been released that have been verified to assist the stability of the current software version. As these contain a collection, they are larger and more time-consuming than other patches.
4. Security Patch
Security patches comprise fixes to existing vulnerabilities that have been acknowledged. This patch type is one of the most vital as this aids in maintaining the system integrity. Postponing security patching upsurges the risk that your system will be compromised. The longer a vulnerability grows, the more likely an exploit exists
Why is patch management important?
Here’s the importance of patch management software:
WHAT IS DATA THEFT?
Data theft also known as information theft, is the unlawful transmission or storage of personal, private, or economic information
1. Security
The utmost important and obvious advantage is improved network security. By securing the network before breaches can happen, data theft, lawful issues and lasting reputation harm can be avoided.
2. Productivity
Having up-to-date systems and programs will reduce the number of bugs or any downtime system can have due to patches not being applied correctly or applied at all. In addition, a patch will boost productivity by keeping the systems up to date with the latest codes.
3. Compliance
With the increase in cyber threats, regulations are increasing, and companies must follow cyber security best practices. Failure to comply could potentially lead to legal penalties for the business. Patch management ensures that businesses stay compliant with these standards.
4. Remote Security
Businesses worldwide are encouraging remote working nowadays. So patch management can be implemented as part of a remote workforce support solution to protect all of the company’s devices, no matter where they’re located.
5. Innovation
Keeping up with the latest technologies and updates is important in today’s world as it seems it’s evolving every day. Patch management will help ensure that businesses have the latest software with the latest features that could benefit in the long term.
WHAT HAPPENS IF PATCHES ARE NOT INSTALLED?
Patches are necessary to ensure that your software stays updated and eliminates bugs.
Issues like these may arise while patching in Linux or windows. Not staying up to date with the device and software can even lead to data breaches. And we all know that data breaches can cost big money in probable fines and lawsuits. So patching can protect money and time if done right.
Patch management lifecycle
The general patch management process includes:
1. Modify Vulnerability Particulars
Be up-to-date with the newest patch-related information from numerous sources. Download patches and track widespread tests to authenticate the genuineness and correctness of patches.
2. Examine The Network
Determine and classify the systems in the network grounded on the defined Room of Management.
3. Categorize Patches For Vulnerabilities
Evaluate the vulnerabilities in the systems intermittently. Investigate what patches are omitted and what is fixed.
4. Install And Arrange Patches
Install the obligatory patches from the vendor site. Then, deploy patches in the omitted systems. Finally, authenticate and authorize the precision of patch installation.
5. Create Status Reports
Create reports of numerous patch management errands. Observe the patching advancement in the enterprise.
Best practices for patch management
Here are a few best patch management practices businesses should follow.
1. Take Inventory Of Systems
A best practice businesses should implement with patch management is to initiate by inventorying the systems.
There should be a clear idea of what software and hardware have been utilized and how the business environment presently stands. In addition, the system should be documented to comprehend which devices, operating systems, and third-party applications are currently being used.
2. Control Risk And Vulnerability
WAYS TO DETERMINE RISKS:
Conduct internal research
Conduct external research
Seek employee comment
Examine customer objections
Use prototypes or software
Furthermore, one more thing to do when handling patches is to determine the risk levels of the systems and allocate precedence to each of them.
The risk levels of the organization’s systems can be determined by considering several aspects. Some factors to consider are how easy a vulnerability can be exploited, how long a system has been left unpatched, and whether the system accesses the internet or not. A vulnerability scan should also be run to ensure the business knows where vulnerabilities may be.
3. Consolidate Software
It’s best to consolidate software across the systems as much as possible. First, it should ensure that the business does not use various software that executes the same purposes. Running through to one piece of software for a particular purpose is ideal. Moreover, authenticate that the versions of these pieces of software are kept the same.
4. Craft A Patch Management Policy
When handling patch management, it is important to ensure that businesses have a clear policy that will be followed with dedication. A patch management policy should institute what should be patched, when, and in what cases. If some systems should be patched more often than others, then the patch management policy should also be noted.
IMPORTANCE OF PATCH MANAGEMENT POLICY:
It ensures risks are managed promptly.
An operative patch management policy expects scheduling conflicts.
It helps ensure that all patching work is finished on time and that the procedure is well documented.
Patching is vital in improving company revenue and reputation by driving product innovation and upgrades.
5. Put On Patches Quickly
Additional practice that should be followed with patch management is ensuring patches are applied speedily. In addition, it should ensure that any patches required for the software are involved promptly. Taking too much time to put on necessary software patches can leave the systems vulnerable to attack, and businesses may face big issues.
6. Adequately Test Patches
It is desirable to remain very cautious about managing patches effectively. This is because all environments are one of a kind, and a patch may cause difficulties with specific configurations. Therefore, patches should be applied to just a small sample of the systems before they are used
7. Automated Patching
Automate the method as much as possible to make the systems as safe as possible and ensure that the patches are managed efficiently. Businesses should try to automate the patching of the system to ensure that they get patches applied as quickly as possible once they become available. There should be the least amount of time that the designs are unpatched and left vulnerable to attacks.
FAMOUS AUTOMATED PATCH MANAGEMENT TOOLS PROVIDERS:
Aws Patch Management
Bigfix Patch Management
Intune Patch Management
Ivanti Patch Management
Patchmanager Plus
Qualys Patch Management
Sccm Patch Management
Solarwinds Patch Management
Conclusion
Patches are not a choice; they are necessary to prevent safety breaches, data theft, data loss, status issues, and lawful penalties and ultimately protect the business. High-risk and acute security patches must be installed as fast as possible to prevent hackers from exploiting vulnerabilities. Windows patch management and Linux patch management are both equally important. Removing the end users from the patch management practice will result in more secure environments. Many small and medium-sized businesses work with Managed IT Services Providers to ensure an effective patch management policy is implemented.
Anchor Text
Vulnerability: Vulnerabilities are faults in a computer system that deteriorate the global security of the system.
System Integrity: Integrity is the declaration that information can only be accessed and altered by an authorized person.
Downtime: Downtime is a condition when a system, especially a computer, is out of action or unobtainable for use.
Data Breaches: A breach is security damage in which sensitive, protected or private data is copied, transmitted, observed, stolen or cast off by an unauthorized individual.
