Did You Know That Many Security Breaches Start with a Simple Oversight? An unpatched system, a forgotten application, or a known vulnerability left unaddressed can open the door to the most destructive cyberattacks. The most alarming part? In many of these cases, a patch was already available... it just wasn't applied in time.
Cyber threats are more frequent than ever, and one of cybercriminals’ favorite methods is exploiting outdated software—both in operating systems and applications. Windows, Java, Adobe, and Microsoft 365 are among the most common targets, and any unpatched flaw can become a fast track to compromising an organization's entire network. That’s why having an effective patch management system is not optional—it's essential.
This is where two key pillars of cybersecurity come into play: patch management and vulnerability management. Though often confused or used interchangeably, they are different processes that critically complement each other. Understanding how they are connected not only helps prevent incidents but also enables the creation of a smarter, more automated, and proactive defense against today’s threats.
What Is a Patch Management System?
From time to time, software developers release patches—small updates that fix bugs, close security vulnerabilities, or simply improve the performance of an application or operating system. The problem is, if you’re not actively applying them, your system can remain exposed. That’s where patch management comes in.
A patch management system automates what used to be a manual process: searching for updates, downloading them, installing them, and keeping track of everything. Thanks to this, the IT team doesn’t have to spend hours checking every server or computer to see if anything needs updating.
These tools can be standalone solutions or integrated into broader cybersecurity platforms. Their main goal is to keep all systems up to date and protected, managing multiple software patches simultaneously without hassle.
Typically, this responsibility falls to the system administrator, who configures the tool according to the company's security policies and specific organizational needs. What matters most is that patches are applied on time—without relying on someone to remember or have a free moment to do it.
Let’s be honest: when updates aren’t automated, they’re usually left for “later,” and that “later” sometimes never comes. That’s why developers are increasingly improving automatic update mechanisms. And if you don’t have a tool to alert you when a patch fails or isn’t installed correctly, you might not even know your system is still at risk.
Why Is It So Important to Apply Patches?
Patches are not just a technical matter. They are, quite literally, the difference between being protected and leaving a door wide open for attackers. When a vulnerability goes unpatched, cybercriminals know it—and they exploit it.
In fact, many attacks occur precisely because the patch already existed, but no one applied it in time. A recent and severe example was the MOVEit Transfer incident in June 2023. This file transfer tool, used by hundreds of companies and government agencies, suffered a massive attack due to a critical vulnerability disclosed on May 31.
Although the patch was released shortly afterward, many organizations failed to apply it in time. The result: a large-scale ransomware campaign led by the Cl0p group, compromising data from organizations such as the BBC, British Airways, the U.S. Department of Energy, Shell, and many others.
And this isn’t an isolated case. According to a survey by the Ponemon Institute:
-
60% of attacked companies knew there was an unpatched vulnerability… and did nothing.
-
62% didn’t even know they were exposed before the attack occurred.
-
52% admitted their patch management processes were manual, slow, and ineffective
Read more: Patch Management vs. Vulnerability Management
Every Company Needs Solid Patch Management to Protect Against Cyberattacks
You don’t have to be a large corporation to be on a cybercriminal’s radar. Sometimes, all they need to break in is a known vulnerability… and a patch that was never applied. That’s why having a patch management solution is no longer optional—it’s essential.
A tool like TecnetProtect Backup, built on the robust technology of Acronis, helps keep systems protected, up to date, and compliant with key regulations. In addition to offering reliable backups to safeguard your data, it also includes advanced device management features, giving you full control over endpoints both inside and outside your network.
As part of that comprehensive management, patch management is seamlessly integrated—an essential functionality that helps identify vulnerabilities, apply critical updates, and ensure your entire environment is always current. This not only improves user productivity and reduces downtime but also helps prevent data breaches that can cost far more than just money: we’re talking about your reputation, customers, and trust.
Think of it this way: many patches are released immediately after a critical flaw is discovered or following actual security incidents. Applying them promptly means closing that gap before someone else tries to exploit it. And when the patch is critical, every minute counts.
Compliance, Continuity, and Real Protection
One of the biggest benefits of having a system like TecnetProtect Backup is that it helps you comply with security regulations and audits. This is especially important in sectors like finance, healthcare, or government, where a single data breach can result in massive fines.
Moreover, if a machine is compromised by an unpatched vulnerability (or a poorly applied patch), it doesn’t just affect one user. It can halt entire processes, impact whole teams, and disrupt the company’s operational continuity. And in the best-case scenario, that means wasted time. In the worst case, it can cost you millions.
A solid patch management tool—like the one offered by TecnetProtect Backup—is specifically designed to prevent all those headaches.
What Does TecnetProtect Backup Offer for Patch Management?
Powered by Acronis technology, TecnetProtect Backup not only protects your data with reliable backups but also integrates advanced vulnerability assessment and automated patch management features—all from a single, easy-to-use console.
This includes:
-
Complete visibility of the devices and applications running in your network.
-
Vulnerability classification by severity to help prioritize the most critical issues.
-
Automatic download and deployment of updates, whether for Windows, Linux, or third-party applications.
-
Ability to group devices and apply custom patching policies based on each team’s or department’s specific needs.
And the best part: it doesn’t matter whether the devices are inside or outside the corporate network. TecnetProtect Backup can patch even remote devices without compromising speed or overloading the network.
One of the features most appreciated by IT teams is that TecnetProtect Backup uses intelligent patch distribution. What does that mean? It leverages cloud servers and peer-to-peer technology to prevent network bottlenecks by efficiently distributing large updates across multiple devices.
Heavy updates or a large number of endpoints? No problem. The tool optimizes bandwidth usage so no one even notices patches are being applied in the background.
Read more: What is Third-Party Patch Management?
Secure Restoration with Added Protection
Another powerful feature is the ability to restore systems from a full backup while simultaneously applying the latest security patches and antimalware updates. This means that if you need to recover a device, it comes back online already protected and up to date—ready to operate without being exposed to the same risks that compromised it before.
This is made possible by the artificial intelligence technology built into TecnetProtect Backup, which detects threats even within backup copies before they are restored.
Patch management doesn’t have to be complicated. With TecnetProtect Backup, you can automate the process, gain visibility, keep your systems protected, and avoid costly incidents caused by simple oversights.
Whether you run a small business or manage a complex infrastructure, this solution provides a simple, secure, and effective way to stay one step ahead of cyberattacks—all in a reliable platform built on Acronis' industry-leading technology.
