In the overall discipline of systems management, patch management involves identifying, acquiring, testing and installing patches (changes to the code) that are meant to repair bugs and security holes or add features.
Those who are responsible for patch management must determine which patches are required for specific software and devices, then test them and ensure they have been properly installed and documented.
Why is Patch Management Necessary?
There are an increasing number of endpoint devices in need of patching as 5G networks, mobile apps and IoT technology become more prolific. Additionally, the evolution of AI is giving hackers access to new tools for breaching networks, making patch management more complicated – and more essential than ever.
Patch management protects the security of computers and networks, keeping them up to date and reliable with the features and functionality the company considers necessary. It is a critical process for documenting security and privacy compliance. It can also enhance performance and make the updates necessary for legacy software to work with newer hardware.
Standalone vs. Centralize Patch Management
Standalone Systems: The operating system and applications will perform periodic checks to determine if patches are available. New patches are automatically downloaded and installed.
Networked environments:Businesses typically try to keep version consistency across computers and will conduct centralized patch management rather than each computer downloading patches individually. Centralized patch management utilizes a software application that checks network hardware for missing patches, downloads and distributes them to computers and other network devices.
A centralized patch management server provides more organizational control over the patch management process. If a certain patch is determined to be problematic, the company can configure its patch management software to prevent deployment. Another advantage of centralized patch management is conservation of internet bandwidth – the patch management server downloads the patch once and distributes it to all designated computers.
Some companies handle the patch management process onsite, but often managed service providers (MSPs) are charged with performing patch management along with other network management services.
Benefits of Managing Patches
All leading software companies periodically release patches, typically for one of three reasons.
- Patches address security vulnerabilities. If a software provider identifies a new security risk in one of its offerings, it will typically issue a patch quickly to address the threat. Companies should apply security patches as soon as possible because criminals and hackers know about the security vulnerabilities and will proactively search for unpatched systems.
- Patches can fix issues and bugs, improving the software’s stability.
- Software vendors may utilize security patches to roll out additional software features. Feature updates are becoming more common due to the popularity of subscription-based cloud software services, and patches can easily address these changes.
Potential Issues with Patch Management
The most common issue related to patch management has to do with “buggy” patches that introduce problems that didn’t exist prior to the patch. As patches may cause issues in a network that was previously working correctly, it is essential for systems administrators to test specific patches before deploying them across the organization.
Another common issue with patch management is that devices on disconnected systems might not receive patches promptly. A remote mobile user, for instance, may not routinely connect to the corporate network in order to take advantage of the centralized patch management system in place.
Alliance IT Provides Management Services
Managed services provide many services for companies looking to optimize resources and streamline processes. When it comes to patch management, Alliance IT can:
- Inventory company devices, operating systems and applications
- Make recommendations as to which software versions should be standard for the organization
- Categorize and prioritize IT assets and patches according to risk
- Test patches in a “sandbox” setting
- Plan the rollout and which patches should be installed on which devices
- Verify that patches have been properly installed
- Monitor systems for missing patches on an ongoing basis
- Document patches, vulnerabilities, test results and deployments for future knowledge and strategy
Whether you need help with patch management, cloud services or structured cabling – you only need to make one call. Alliance IT provides essential services to Sarasota SMBs to help them grow and thrive in a competitive environment.
