In cybersecurity, patch management is frequently discussed as an essential tool to protect companies. Various tech firms, MDL included, recommend that businesses find experts in patch management to ensure that all company software is up-to-date and safe to use. Here’s a breakdown of what patch management is and why it’s important for your company’s cybersecurity.
What are patches?
Patches are pieces of code that fix issues in software that has already been released and installed. When users update their software, they’re essentially “patching” it up with coding that fixes any problems that exist. These patches can fix anything from minor bugs to large vulnerabilities. Because software is increasingly complex, vulnerabilities are regularly detected once the software is already live — patches are important to fix these vulnerabilities before hackers take advantage of them.
What is patch management?
Patch management is the act of developing, installing, documenting and overseeing patches for a specific software. As vulnerabilities are detected, patches are developed, tested and installed. Those who work to create and deploy patches are part of patch management.
Why do companies need expert patch management?
Cybersecurity relies on up-to-date, high-functioning systems. A small oversight or bug in a program could be all a hacker needs to break into the system. That’s why software is so frequently updated — each update ensures that the software program is functioning effectively and safely.
Unfortunately, patches are rarely installed on all devices in a timely manner. Employees using personal devices may push off necessary updates until later. Those travelling or out of the office could miss an update notification, leaving their software vulnerable for hours or even days. Even when IT departments are quick to identify necessary patches, they may not be able to immediately access everyone’s computers, such as those of employees working on projects with tight deadlines.
The result is that company software is left vulnerable to cyber attacks. This is where expert patch management systems come in. Companies that specialize in patch management have well-defined processes for installing patches, meaning that software is updated on all devices no matter what.
At MDL, we use a centralized patch management system that allows us to update software for every employee using one control. Even when employees are travelling, we can push updates to their computers, ensuring they don’t miss key fixes. This centralized system also allows us to see how many users have installed patches so no device goes without updates.
Patch management is important in cybersecurity, and it’s highly beneficial to outsource the process to experts. By hiring a company to oversee patches rather than placing the burden on a likely already overworked IT department, your company is saving itself money and time in the long run.
Learn about MDL’s patch management services on our website.
