Overview
Effective patch management is one of the most critical security practices. Many successful cyberattacks exploit known vulnerabilities for which patches have already been released.
The Process
- Inventory: Maintaining a list of all software and hardware assets.
- Monitoring: Tracking security advisories and patch releases.
- Testing: Verifying that patches do not break existing functionality.
- Deployment: Rolling out patches across the organization.
Challenges
- Volume: The sheer number of patches can be overwhelming.
- Complexity: Patches can sometimes cause compatibility issues.
- Timing: Balancing the need for security with the need for system availability.