What is patch management?

Has it ever happened to you that your computer or cell phone asks you to update and you leave it for later... or simply ignore it? Don't worry, you're not the only one. But every time we do that, we leave a small window open for cybercriminals to sneak in. Those updates that seem so annoying actually serve a super important function: keeping your systems secure and running smoothly.

That's called patch management. It not only fixes bugs and plugs security holes, but also prevents headaches like system crashes or, worse, data breaches. In this article we're going to tell you what exactly patch management is, why you should pay attention to it and how it can help you keep your company (or even your personal devices) protected and up to date.

What is a security patch?

A security patch is a small security update that developers create to fix bugs or vulnerabilities in a software, operating system or application. Think of it as a sort of “digital band-aid” that plugs holes where cybercriminals might try to sneak in.

Whenever a security flaw is discovered, manufacturers (such as Microsoft, Apple, Google or the makers of whatever software you use) work quickly to release a patch to fix the problem before someone can exploit it. These patches not only fix security issues, but in many cases also improve performance or add new features.

Simple example: When your phone notifies you that a security update is available, that notification usually means that a potential risk has been found and a patch is ready to install.

What is patch management?

Patch management is basically the process of checking for, testing and installing those updates that are released by developers to keep everything running smoothly and securely. These updates are used to fix bugs, patch security flaws and, incidentally, sometimes add some improvement that makes the software or systems faster or more stable.

Updates can come from many sources: Microsoft, Apple, Google, Adobe or even network equipment manufacturers such as Cisco or Juniper. Every time one of those companies detects a problem or a potential entry point for cybercriminals, they create a patch to fix it. If you don't apply it, you're basically leaving the door open to whoever wants to get in.

But be careful, patch management is not about installing everything at once as soon as it comes out. You need a bit of strategy: you have to decide which ones are urgent (because they fix serious bugs) and which ones can wait a bit. It is also important to test them before applying them to the whole company, to avoid an update causing more problems than it solves.

In addition, good patch management includes always being on the lookout for new updates, testing them in a secure environment, applying them when the time is right, and keeping a record of the entire process. In this way, companies not only protect themselves against known threats, but also comply with regulations and keep their systems running smoothly.

Why is patch management important?

Keeping systems up to date is not just a best practice. It's a necessity if you want your business to be secure, run flawlessly and comply with all industry standards. Here's why:

Security

The number one reason is security. Cybercriminals are always looking for holes in software to sneak in. And guess what: those holes are usually bugs that already have patches available, but often companies haven't applied them yet.

If you patch them in time, you close those doors before someone can use them to steal data, access systems or cause damage. In fact, many of the major cyberattacks in recent years occurred because organizations did not update their software on time.

Compliance

In addition to protecting you, patch management helps you comply with laws and regulations. Regulations such as GDPR, HIPAA or PCI-DSS require companies to keep their software up to date as part of their cybersecurity measures. Ignoring this can bring quite serious fines, lawsuits and even damage your business reputation.

Stability and performance

Patching is not only a security issue. It also helps your systems perform better. Patches fix bugs that can cause crashes, slowdowns or other annoying problems that disrupt your work. By keeping everything up to date, you ensure that your technology runs stably and efficiently.

Patch Management Process

Patch management is not just about installing updates when they appear. It's a multi-step process that, if done right, keeps your software and systems secure, compliant and running smoothly. It's also something that never stops, because threats change and the IT environment is always evolving. Here we explain each step:

Step 1: Know your assets

The first thing is to be clear about what you have in your organization. This means keeping an up-to-date inventory of everything: servers, computers, network devices, software and operating systems. Without knowing exactly what equipment and software you use, you can't know what needs patching.

In addition, it's a good idea to classify assets according to how important or risky they are. That way you can make sure that critical systems receive updates first. It's also a good idea to standardize software and hardware as much as possible, because that makes it much easier to patch without it all becoming a headache.

Step 2: Keep an eye out for new patches

With your inventory ready, the next step is to keep up to date with the updates that vendors are releasing. This can be done manually or (much better) with tools that automatically monitor available updates and detect which computers or systems need urgent patches.

This way you avoid that some important update is overlooked and reduce the time your systems are exposed to possible attacks. An excellent option for this is TecnetProtect, our cybersecurity solution that includes complete patch management. With TecnetProtect you can automate both monitoring and patching, ensuring that all your systems are always up to date and protected, without the need for complicated manual processes.

TecnetProtect patch update module

Read more: Device Security with TecnetProtect

Step 3: Prioritize (not everything is urgent)

1. How serious is the vulnerability?
   
   
2. How important is the affected system?
   
   
3. What could happen if you don't apply that patch soon?

This way you can focus on the most urgent patches first and leave the less risky ones for later.

Step 4: Test before applying

Before rolling out patches across the network, it is key to test them in a controlled environment. This way you can detect if the patch causes any compatibility issues or introduces any new bugs.

Typically, patches are first applied to a small group of systems that mimic the real environment. This helps to identify any potential issues without affecting the entire operation.

Step 5: Apply the patches

Once everything is tested, it is time to deploy the patches. This step must be done carefully to avoid disrupting daily work.

It is best to schedule updates at off-peak times or to do it in stages: first on critical systems and then on less important ones. You can also group several patches together to reduce reboots and minimize downtime. In addition, it is very useful to monitor in real time how the installation is going in case a problem arises and resolve it quickly.

Step 6: Record everything

Finally, it is important to document every step. Write down what patches you applied, on which systems, what test results you had, and if there were any problems during the installation.

Keeping these records is essential for audits, regulatory compliance and also to have a clear view of how your organization's security is doing. It will also help you to be prepared for future upgrades or inspections.

Common problems in patch management

While keeping systems up to date is key to security and performance, managing patches is not always as straightforward as it seems. Many companies encounter obstacles that can complicate the process and leave gaps that cybercriminals are quick to exploit. Here are some of the most common problems:

1. Difficulty prioritizing: With so many updates coming out all the time, it can be challenging to decide which patches to apply first. Not all vulnerabilities are equally urgent, but when you have a lot of notifications piling up, it's easy to feel overwhelmed and not know where to start.
   
   
2. Compatibility issues: Another headache is that sometimes a patch fixes one problem but causes another. You may find that after applying an update, some software stops working properly or the system becomes unstable. This is why it is so important to test patches before releasing them to all computers.
   
   
3. Remote computer management: Now that many people work from home or from different locations, keeping all devices up to date has become even more complicated. Each worker may use different computers and connections, which makes making sure everything is patched a real challenge.
   
   
4. Lack of a clear policy: Not having a well-defined patching policy is another common problem. If there are no clear rules about who should apply patches, when and how, it is easy for some patches to be overlooked or applied haphazardly, increasing the risk of vulnerabilities.
   
   
5. Limited resources: Finally, not all companies have enough staff or budget to handle this whole process well. Staying on top of updates, testing and applying them takes time and requires expertise. This is where automating becomes key. Using tools that do the heavy lifting (such as checking for updates, testing compatibility and applying them) can greatly ease the burden on the IT team and ensure that everything is kept up to date without so much effort.

Read more: How and where do hackers hide their malware code?

When patches are not well managed: Real consequences

To understand why it is so important to have good patch management, nothing better than to see what has happened when things were done wrong. Some famous cases show how not applying updates on time can have huge consequences for companies and their users.

1. The Equifax data breach

One of the most well-known cases is that of Equifax in 2017. This credit reporting agency suffered a data breach that exposed the personal information of some 147 million people. The cause? A vulnerability in Apache Struts (a tool they used in their systems) that did have a patch available, but they did not apply it in time.

The result was disastrous: Equifax ended up paying $700 million in legal settlements and suffered a huge blow to its reputation. This situation made it clear what can happen if security updates are not taken seriously.

2. The WannaCry ransomware attack.

Another well-known case is the famous WannaCry ransomware attack. It exploited a security flaw in Microsoft Windows (called EternalBlue). The worst thing is that Microsoft had already released the patch two months before the attack, but many organizations had not installed it.

The ransomware spread around the world, affecting hundreds of thousands of computers in more than 150 countries. The UK's National Health Service (NHS) was one of the hardest hit: they had to cancel appointments and turn away patients because their systems were locked down. This attack showed how ignoring a single update can cripple an entire organization.

Best practices for patch management

Keeping systems up to date is not just about applying random updates. To make your patching strategy effective, we recommend following these tips:

1. Automate as much as you can: Automating makes your life easier. There are tools that can search for missing patches, evaluate which ones are most important and apply them without you having to keep an eye on every detail. In addition, you can schedule patches to be installed at off-peak times, so you don't interrupt your daily work. For example, TecnetProtect allows you to automate the monitoring, testing and installation of patches, which saves time and reduces human error. Ideal for small teams or teams with limited resources.

2. Prioritize by risk: Not all updates are equally urgent. It is best to focus first on patches that address critical vulnerabilities that could put your business at risk. Evaluate each patch according to the severity of the flaw and how important the affected system is.

3. Test before applying to the entire network: Before releasing a patch to all systems, test it on a few machines that mimic the real environment. This way you can detect if the patch causes compatibility problems or affects performance.

4. Review and update your patching policies: Your patching strategy should be reviewed from time to time. Threats change and so do your systems. Make sure your policies are up to date and follow current best practices.

5. Keep good records, document everything: what patches you applied, on what systems, when, and if there were any problems. This will help you in audits, to keep a clear control and to learn from any inconvenience that arises.

6. Encourage teamwork: Patch management is not just the job of the IT team. Security teams should also be involved, as they are best placed to identify risks and assess which updates are most important.

Conclusion

Patch management is essential for keeping any company’s systems secure and in good working order. Consistently applying updates helps fix bugs, improve performance, and, most importantly, close vulnerabilities that cybercriminals could exploit. It also ensures compliance with increasingly stringent regulations.

To do it properly, it’s important to take an organized approach: automate processes, prioritize the most urgent updates, test patches before deployment, and ensure that IT and security teams work together. This way, companies can stay protected and prepared for future challenges.

That said, managing all of this manually can be complicated, especially when resources are limited. TecnetProtect simplifies this task by automating patch monitoring and deployment, offering real-time visibility and a centralized monitoring system. This allows all systems to stay up to date with minimal effort.

If you’re looking for an efficient and straightforward way to strengthen your company’s security, TecnetProtect is the ideal solution. Automate your updates, minimize risks, and maintain control without overburdening your team. Contact us to discover how TecnetProtect can help you.