Patch management is the ongoing process of releasing and deploying software updates, most commonly to address security and functionality issues. But to do patch management well, you must have a detailed and repeatable process.
Establishing an effective patch management process is critical to keeping your system secure and stable. Patches address vulnerabilities that may be exploited by hackers; vulnerability fixes are used to correct errors or defects in software, and feature upgrades provide enhancements to improve user experience. Installing these patches and updates keeps your organization's software and firmware secure, reliable, and up to date with the latest improvements.
1. Patch Management VS Vulnerability Management: Key Differences
Before the text begins, let us first clarify the concepts of patch management and vulnerability management and their key differences.
Patch management is an integral part of good vulnerability management and focuses on known vulnerabilities in third-party vendor systems. Third-party systems include operating systems (OS), firmware (software installed on hardware), and applications.
Patch management should be considered a foundational capability for any organization, although it is often difficult to keep up with patches in a large environment. Since Microsoft (Windows 10+), Apple (iOS, macOS), and Google (Android, Chrome, etc.) regularly roll out automated patches, even consumers and less technical employees understand patch management to some extent.
Vulnerability management goes beyond known third-party vulnerabilities to include broader issues such as incorrect installation, misconfiguration, security vulnerabilities, use of outdated protocols, architectural issues and other errors. Legacy technologies with known vulnerabilities also It falls within the scope of vulnerability management.
Many vulnerabilities, such as legacy technologies, cannot be fixed with patches. In contrast, vulnerability management creates, implements, and maintains compensating controls to protect known vulnerabilities. Virtual patching is a form of compensating control that uses intrusion prevention system (IPS) capabilities to block vulnerabilities, but other techniques can also be deployed, such as changing firewall rules, adding network segmentation and whitelisting. Vulnerability management uses regular, proactive testing to locate new vulnerabilities and continuously track old vulnerabilities.
| Key Differences: Patch and Vulnerability Management |
||
| category |
Patch management |
Vulnerability Management |
| scope |
Operating systems, software, firmware from third-party vendors |
All IT systems, configurations, connections and security controls |
| frequency |
Typically monthly, matching Microsoft's patch schedule |
Can be continuous, but should be done at least quarterly (annually for smaller organizations) |
| Discover |
Mainly through security advisories issued by vendors |
Mainly through testing and scanning |
| repair |
Download and apply patches created by vendors |
Develop fixes for configuration corrections, compensating controls, and additional layers of security |
| Recordkeeping & Reporting |
Patches applied monthly, devices that failed to be patched, and when they were patched |
List of current priority vulnerabilities, compensating control status, vulnerability and penetration scan results |
| Compliance requirements |
need |
often needed |
The step-by-step guide to the patch management process described below can help organizations gain timely insight into vulnerabilities and reduce cyber risk.
2. 11 key steps in the patch management process
Step 1: Create an inventory of all software applications and systems
The first step in patch management is to create an inventory of all software programs and systems in your organization. This inventory provides comprehensive visibility into the scope and complexity of the environment, ensuring that no software or system is overlooked throughout the patching process. A comprehensive inventory is the first step in determining which fixes have been implemented and which may be missing. Understanding the current status of patches will help with planning.
One challenge organizations face is that they often don't know everything connected to their network. IT asset management tools will be an effective way to help teams identify all the assets they need to monitor.
Step 2: Check the endpoints that need to be patched
Conduct an extensive review of all endpoints in your organization that need to be patched. Servers, workstations, laptops, and any other devices running software programs are included, as are the software, firmware, and applications that run on these devices. Using the previously generated checklist, identify the exact endpoints that need to be patched to ensure full coverage, identify vulnerable systems, prioritize patching, eliminate oversights, and ensure compliance with security rules. Organizations can successfully monitor and mitigate vulnerabilities by conducting thorough assessments, mitigating possible security risks, and ensuring a secure IT environment.
Step 3: Establish priorities based on risk and importance
Once you have identified software applications and systems, prioritize them based on their importance and location in potential attack paths. Assess the vulnerability's impact on each system and prioritize patching efforts accordingly. This step will ensure that high-risk and critical systems receive the attention they need.
The importance of the asset is as important as the severity of the vulnerability. Vulnerabilities with lower CVE scores in customer databases may also become more urgent when the value of the asset is taken into account.
Step 4: Create a patch management policy
Creating a patch management strategy is critical to establishing a consistent, unified patching program. The patch management strategy will patch and update the core IT requirements of all systems and software in order of importance. It also outlines clear processes that can be followed and reported on, predetermined criteria that can be tested and verified, and rules describing patch and upgrade requirements. Additionally, the organization's patch management techniques, guidelines, roles and responsibilities should also be outlined in the policy.
Step 5: Create documentation before and after patching
Maintain detailed documentation throughout the patch management process. Document the state of the system prior to patching, including versions, settings, and vulnerabilities. Document post-patching modifications, including the patch deployed and its impact on the system. This is critical for tracking system status, deployed patches and their impact. It helps with troubleshooting, compliance, auditing and reporting. By thoroughly documenting the patch management process, organizations can improve their ability to assess patch effectiveness, troubleshoot issues, and demonstrate compliance with security requirements.
Step 6: Evaluate and test the patch
Before patches are deployed to production systems, they must be evaluated and tested to ensure the effective operation of systems and applications. Evaluate the impact of patches on systems and applications in a controlled test environment. This process helps detect any potential conflicts, incompatibilities, or harmful effects that the patch may have. Thorough testing reduces the risk of disrupting the production environment. By conducting a comprehensive assessment, identifying conflicts or compatibility issues, and eliminating risks, organizations can effectively prevent outages, maintain system reliability, and protect the integrity of their IT infrastructure.
Step 7: Create a full backup
Perform complete backups of critical systems and data before applying fixes. This backup can act as a "safety net" if anything goes wrong during the patching process. In the event of a failure, organizations can use backups to restore the system to its previous state.
Performing a full backup before releasing a patch is an important preventive practice. It reduces risk, facilitates system recovery, protects data, and provides the possibility of rollback. Organizations can provide a more secure and easier patching experience by adding this stage to the patch management process, thereby reducing the potential impact of any difficulties that may arise. Many patch management tools include rollback features.
Step 8: Conduct a pilot patch deployment
To reduce the likelihood of widespread problems, organizations are best served by testing patches on a limited scale before rolling them out across the business. Apply the patch to a representative sample of your system, then pay close attention to the results and resolve any issues that may arise. This phase helps identify possible issues and improve the deployment process. A proactive strategy to minimize risk and improve the deployment process is to conduct a trial deployment of a representative set of patches before distributing them to the entire organization. It helps identify possible issues, ensures compatibility, and increases trust in the validity of updates.
Step 9: Deploy the patch system-wide
Now, it's time to deploy the test patch to the correct endpoints across the organization. After patches have been evaluated, tested, and verified, the next step is to download them from the correct sources and deploy them according to the defined priorities and time frames specified for patch distribution. This is another place where patch management tools can help.
To ensure the integrity of the IT environment, care is taken throughout this phase to continuously monitor the deployment process and correct any issues as frequently and quickly as possible.
Step 10: Monitor for patch updates and fix any issues
In order for the patch management process to remain effective, validating and monitoring patch updates are essential steps. It enables organizations to check whether patches were successfully installed, keep systems running, assess policy compliance, find new patches that need to be applied, and maintain a consistent patching schedule. After a patch is installed, monitoring and evaluation of the patch will measure its success. Confirming that patches have been deployed correctly, that systems are functioning as expected, and that the organization's patch management standards are followed is critical.
Organizations can effectively monitor patch updates with a patch management solution that automates and simplifies the process. These solutions enable IT organizations to track installed patches and identify any possible issues or vulnerabilities by providing visibility into the patch status of various systems.
System management and monitoring tools can help track the patching process and ensure the integrity of delivered patches; investigate and fix any patch failures or issues as quickly as possible; determine the root cause of the failure and design a solution. To remediate the problem and protect the security of the system, it may be necessary to retest, debug, or install alternative patches. When a vulnerability cannot be patched or fully mitigated, security controls can improve protection of affected assets. This process is often called "virtual patching."
Step 11: Apply the latest patch
Stay up to date on most vulnerabilities and patches for your organization's systems and devices, and make sure to update your patch management software to stay current. Keeping up with the latest vulnerabilities and updates ensures that an organization's systems have the best security defenses against known vulnerabilities.
These changes also improve the operation and stability of the system. Updating software maintains compatibility with new technology and reduces the chance of software conflicts or performance issues. Regularly review patch management resources, security bulletins, and vulnerability databases to ensure you are aware of any new fixes relevant to your organization's systems. Again, this is another area where patch management and vulnerability management tools can make a difference.
This step allows organizations to maintain a proactive approach to patch management and respond quickly to emerging risks. By staying current on vulnerabilities and patches, organizations can quickly address newly discovered vulnerabilities and security risks while also meeting compliance needs and adhering to industry standards.
3. Goals of the patch management process
Organizations can build a strong, proactive strategy for patching by aligning their patch management efforts with the goals described below, which will help ensure the security, stability, and optimal performance of their software applications and systems.
- Create predictability and fixes. Creating an organized approach to patch management starts with establishing a regular patching schedule, following policies and procedures, and maintaining documentation. Because remediation operations are predictable, organizations can predict and plan for them, ensuring they are performed efficiently and consistently.
- Allow IT teams to handle urgent vulnerabilities. Patch management agreements should empower IT teams with contingency capabilities when necessary. This includes not only security emergencies, but also the ability to roll back a patch if it creates an unexpected problem or breaks.
- Improve the security, integrity and reliability of the entire system. An effective patch management process improves system security, integrity, and reliability. It ensures that the system is trustworthy, performs optimally, and is not vulnerable to attack or failure. By keeping software programs and systems up to date with the latest upgrades, organizations can improve their overall security posture, protect sensitive data, and maintain the trust of customers and stakeholders.
- Ensure compatibility between applications and systems. Patch management ensures that software programs and systems are compatible with an organization's IT infrastructure. Updates and patches are usually to address compatibility issues that may arise as program versions or dependencies change. Organizations can reduce potential conflicts or issues by installing these updates to maintain a resilient IT infrastructure.
- Get complete visibility into patch status. Gaining a comprehensive view of patch status across the company is a key goal of patch management. This requires an understanding of systems that have already been patched, systems that still need to be patched, and any issues or anomalies that may arise. Visibility enables businesses to monitor compliance, identify security gaps, and take the necessary steps to keep all systems up to date.
- Improve system stability and performance. Patches play a vital role in improving system stability and performance by fixing software bugs and issues. As a result of bugs, applications and systems may experience unexpected behavior, crashes, or performance issues. Organizations can correct these problems to ensure that software functions as expected, thereby creating a more reliable and stable computing environment.
- Protect your system from potential threats. Fixing security vulnerabilities in software programs and systems is one of the main goals of patch management. Organizations can quickly implement updates to address security vulnerabilities and protect their systems from possible dangers, such as unauthorized access, data breaches, or malware attacks. Maintaining the integrity and confidentiality of sensitive information requires minimizing security risks.
- Reduce downtime and disruption caused by software issues. Organizations can minimize downtime and reduce the likelihood of security risks by implementing proactive patch management. Unresolved software bugs or vulnerabilities can cause system crashes or unplanned downtime. Implement updates in a timely manner to maintain business continuity, reduce productivity losses, and minimize potential software-related outages. By preventing critical issues from developing, system patches reduce the need for costly rollbacks or system recovery. This will lead to more efficient operations and reduce negative end-user or consumer experiences.