Why Managed Patch Management is Key to Keeping Your Systems Secure?

There are more and more cyber threats that can damage companies' systems and data. It has never been more important for businesses to have strong security measures as they rely more on technology. Patch management, the process of changing software and systems to fix security holes, is an important part of keeping a network safe. Despite this, many businesses find it hard to manage patches internally because IT environments are getting more complicated and cyberattacks happen quickly. This is where services that handle patches come in handy.

IBM said in a study that the average cost of a data breach in 2023 was $4.45 million. This shows how cyber incidents can cost businesses a lot of money. Cybercriminals still get in through known but unpatched flaws. In 2023, the Ponemon Institute found that 60% of data breaches were linked to known but unpatched vulnerabilities. This problem can be solved by managed patch management services, which take a preventative approach to managing vulnerabilities.

Because threats are always changing, it's important for businesses to take a broad view of security. Businesses can focus on their main tasks while keeping their security strong by using the skills of specialized service providers.

Patch management works in different ways when a patch is being applied to a single system or to a group of systems in a business network. On systems that are not connected to the internet, operating systems and apps usually check automatically every so often to see if there are any new patches available. New patches are often downloaded and installed immediately when they are found.

In networked settings, companies usually try to make sure that all gadgets use the same version of software. Companies usually use managed patch management so that each device doesn't have to download its own patches. The server-based software program in this method checks network hardware for missing patches, downloads them, and then sends them to computers and other networked devices.

Many businesses handle patch management on their own, but some choose to hire managed service providers (MSPs) to do it for them. Patch management is often part of a larger set of network management services offered by these companies. This can make things easier for internal IT teams that are in charge of administration.

Large software companies make patches on a regular basis that do one or more of the main things below:

Taking Care of Security Vulnerabilities: Security flaws are often fixed with patches. When a software company finds a new security risk, like a zero-day flaw, it will usually quickly release a patch to lower the risk. Cybercriminals and malware developers know about these vulnerabilities in security and will look for systems that haven't been fixed yet, so it's important for businesses to apply these patches right away.

Fixing Software Bugs: Patches can also fix bugs in software, making it more stable and getting rid of long-term issues that could slow it down.

Adding New Features: Some fixes are made to improve software by adding new features. With the rise of subscription-based cloud services, where regular changes are a big part of the service, this is happening more and more often.

fix management experts, such as system management software vendors, MSPs, and consultants, often say that the following best practices will help make fix deployment go smoothly and effectively:

Figure out what needs to be fixed: Make it clear which systems and gadgets need to be patched and where they are. Keeping a full patch list can help you keep patches in order.

Set up standard patching procedures and emergency procedures: Tell the difference between normal patching methods and emergency repair methods. When emergency patches are used outside of normal times, the steps should be clear and easy to follow.

Learn About Vendor Patch Release Schedules: To better plan your patch management strategy, learn about the release schedules of different vendors for different operating systems, apps, and endpoint firmware.

Create a Realistic Test Environment: Make a test environment that is very similar to the production environment, taking into account things like changes in traffic and other factors. When the working environment changes, this environment should also be changed.

Review the Patch Process and Results: Look at key performance indicators (KPIs) to find ways to improve the patch management process on a regular basis.

Prioritize Patches Based on Risk: Figure out which assets are most important to the business based on how much downtime is okay and how vulnerable they are. It is recommended that patches for assets that are at high risk be applied first.

Stay up to date on security holes: For paid software, sign up for trustworthy lists like the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) catalog run by the U.S. government. Use a software composition analysis tool to keep an eye on open-source and third-party parts of custom apps.

Quickly Apply Patches: Patches should be applied as soon as possible, even if it causes people some short-term trouble. Delaying the release of patches makes it more likely that hackers will be able to use them.

Carry out production rollouts in stages: In the beginning, start with processes that aren't as important. If the patches work on all platforms, you can move on to deploying them.

Make backup plans and plans for rolling back: Before you start deploying patches, make sure you have a backup or copy of the systems. In case something goes wrong during patching, this makes sure that you can get things back to how they were before.

Managed Patch management is seen as an ongoing process by most businesses. Because vendors put out new patches all the time and because a company's IT setting changes over time, its patching needs also change.

Organizations make formal patch management policies to spell out the best ways to handle patches, which both managers and end users should follow. The patch management process usually has the following stages:

Management of assets

To keep an eye on IT resources, the IT and security teams make detailed lists of all network assets, including third-party apps, operating systems, mobile devices, and servers both on-premises and remotely.

Teams could also set standards for hardware and software to limit the types that workers can use. This standardization cuts down on the number of different asset types in the network, which speeds up the patching process and stops people from using old, dangerous, or incompatible apps and gadgets.

Tracking Patches

With a full list of all assets, IT and security teams can keep an eye out for patches that are available, keep track of each asset's patch state, and find the ones that are missing patches.

Choice of Patch Priority

Not every change is the same, especially when it comes to security patches. For instance, Gartner found 19,093 new security holes in 2021, but hackers only used 1,554 of them in real life.

Tests for patches

New patches may sometimes cause problems, stop connections from working, or not fix the security holes they're supposed to fix. In very rare cases, hackers can even take over fixes. When IT and security teams try patches before putting them into use, they can find and fix problems before they spread to the whole network.

Installing a patch

"Patch deployment" refers to when and how to apply patches. Patching is usually planned for times when employees aren't doing much, and the timing may also be set by the provider. One example is that Microsoft fixes are usually released on Tuesdays, which are called "Patch Tuesday" among IT pros.

So that some workers can keep working while patches are being applied to others, IT and security teams may apply patches in groups instead of across the whole network. This phased method also gives us one last chance to find and fix any problems before they spread to the whole network.

Documentation on Patch

To stay in line with regulations and keep an accurate list of assets, IT and security teams carefully record the patching process, including the results of tests, the results of deployment, and any assets that still need to be patched. During audits, this paperwork is very important to show that you are following privacy rules.

For keeping an IT system safe and strong, managed patch management is a must. By making sure that software changes are done on time, vulnerabilities are fixed before they become problems. This greatly lowers the risk of cyberattacks and data breaches.

Outsourcing patch management is a good way for businesses of all kinds to save money, especially small businesses that don't have their own IT staff. It makes both protection better and operations run more smoothly. Managing patches is important for keeping your systems and data safe because online threats are always changing. It gives you peace of mind in a world that is becoming more and more computerized. If you want reliable controlled patch management services, choose SafeAeon.

1. How much does managed patch control cost?

Managed fix management can save you money in the long run, even though it costs money up front. These services can save your business a lot of money by keeping it from having costly data breaches and downtime.

2. Can I still manage some patches myself while using managed patch management?

You can, of course. You can stay in charge of some parts of the patching process with many managed patch management providers' flexible options.

3. How often should patches be applied?

How often you apply patches depends on things like how bad the vulnerabilities are, how they affect your systems, and the needs of your company. On the other hand, patches should be used as soon as possible after they become available.

4. How can I choose the right managed patch management provider?

When choosing a provider, you should think about their knowledge, certifications, security measures, and customer service. It's also important to make sure that their services fit the needs and budget of your company.