PatchMgmt - How Patch Management Protects Your Business

 

What is Patch Management?

Patch management is part of an overall systems management plan that involves acquiring, testing, and installing multiple patches (code changes) to an administered computer system.

Computer operating systems like Windows 7, Window 10, Windows Server 2012, Windows Server 2016, and many more are in a constant state of attack.  Cyber criminals are always looking for new vulnerabilities in systems like these in order to exploit those vulnerabilities to further their cyber attacks and increase revenues.  As a consequence, companies like Microsoft and others are continually updating their systems to “Patch” publicly known and unknown system vulnerabilities.  Microsoft for example puts out new system patches on either the 2nd or 4th Tuesday of every month.  The problem is that not all patches should be installed. Every now and then a patch may actually cause more issues than it resolves.  So, having a patch management policy and procedure to verify patches is crucial to stay ahead of the ever-changing cyber threat landscape.

Are you protected?

You would be surprised to hear how many companies we see each week that have not had their systems patched in years.  This opens your business up to new threats and increases the likelihood of a significant cyber event and/or data loss.  If you work with an IT Managed Service Provider (MSP), part of their endpoint management service should include monthly patch management for all your equipment.  These are typically scheduled events that take place at night or over weekends and usually require a system reboot as part of the install.

If you don’t have a patch management policy and procedure or you are unsure whether your equipment is up-to-date, we would be happy to assist as part of our free Network Assessment.  Don’t leave your business vulnerable, find out today.