Patch management — a quick introduction

Keeping software and systems up to date is more important than ever. Cyberattacks, bugs, and performance issues can disrupt business operations and put sensitive data at risk. Patch management is the process of applying updates, or “patches,” to fix these problems and maintain system security. Many organizations now also track patch management compliance to ensure every critical system meets required security standards.

For IT teams and MSPs, it ensures smooth operations, compliance, and protection against the latest threats, all while saving time and effort. In this blog, let us understand what patch management is, its key steps, challenges, and more- including how patch deployment software and modern AI patch management tools simplify the entire process.

What is patch management?

Patch management refers to the process of adding codes to an already existing software. These patches help users prevent instances of bugs as well as security vulnerabilities in the software. It is an important tool for managed services providers as many businesses hire an MSP to take care of their various IT needs, including patches.

If something didn’t work and you called tech support, the first thing they wanted to know was whether you were using the latest version.

Michael Goldstein President of LAN Infotech

Some of the most common types of software that require timely patches are operating systems and professional applications. Constant patches ensure the software’s well-being and make sure the software is safe from the latest definitions of virus and security threats.

How does patch management work?

Patch management is a step-by-step process that keeps your systems secure and up to date. Many IT teams now automate this workflow using advanced patch deployment software, improving speed, safety, and consistency. Here are the key steps in patch management: 

Patch identification

The first step is to discover which patches are available for your systems. This can be done automatically through patch management tools or manually by IT teams. It covers operating systems, software applications, and firmware updates. Staying on top of newly released patches is essential to protect systems from security vulnerabilities and threat actors.

Patch assessment

Not all patches are equally urgent. After identification, emergency patches and other patches are assessed for relevance and priority. Critical security updates, especially those addressing vulnerabilities actively being exploited by attackers, are given the highest priority. Less critical updates, such as minor feature improvements, are scheduled accordingly.

Patch testing

Before applying updates to live systems, patches are tested in a controlled environment. This ensures they won’t conflict with existing applications or cause system instability. Testing helps prevent downtime and avoids unexpected issues in production environments.

Patch deployment 

Once patches are verified, they are deployed to production systems. Deployment can be manual or automated, often scheduled during off-peak hours to minimize disruption. Proper planning at this stage ensures that updates reach all relevant devices without affecting day-to-day operations.

Verification

After deployment, it is important to confirm that patches have been successfully applied to all intended systems. This step ensures no device is left unpatched, which could leave the network vulnerable.

Monitoring and reporting

Patch management does not stop after installation. For security teams, systems are continuously monitored to ensure updates are functioning correctly and no new issues have arisen. Reporting tools track compliance, highlight gaps, and provide an overview of the organization’s patch status.

Patch Management: why is it important?

Patch management benefits your MSP’s tech infrastructure in a multitude of ways:

Security and risk mitigation

With respect to the increasing frequency of ransomware and other cybersecurity attacks in recent years, companies cannot afford to have any vulnerability or hole in their software. In 2020, over 18,000 security vulnerabilities were reported across the world. Add to that news of ransomware and other significant cybersecurity breaches, security mitigation became a cause of concern for all IT organizations.

Patches to software take care of these security vulnerabilities. A patch management system monitors the patch status of all workstations and allows you to deploy patches accordingly or automate the patching process.

System uptime

The cost of downtime is high — on average IT downtimes cost $5600 per minute, eventually reaching figures like $300,000 per hour. Nobody wants that. Bugs and internal errors within a software’s coding often cause downtimes.

Patch updates also contribute to your software’s bug and error management. They fix existing problems within the software script and improve the functionality of the software, thereby reducing the chances of downtime due to internal errors and bugs.

Compliance

Compliance is an important aspect of patch management. Patch compliance pertains to the number of devices in your organization that have been patched to the latest standards. Regulatory bodies have their own compliance rules and guidelines. Organizations need to adhere to these standards.

Having a patch management system in place can ensure that your devices are compliant by keeping an account of the success and reach of your patch deployment efforts. Superops is GDPR compliant. Important compliance examples:

• GDPR compliance: European Union — No residual data is to be left in servers
• HIPAA compliance: Medical industry — Focuses on the protection of sensitive patient data

Constant updates

Patch management ensures that the software you are using is always up to date and meets the latest security standards, especially with ever increasing cyber threats . Our patch management system monitors software versions, ensuring you are always in the loop. Outdated software is a security hazard and can be vulnerable to breaches.

Additional read: Patching vulnerabilities

Patch management features

Powerful monitoring tool

A strong monitoring tool makes it easier for you to manage endpoints. Our patch management system provides you with a comprehensive overview of software that’s updated and software that requires urgent updates, pinned down to every device and client. Moreover, with our patch management system, you can sort, filter and deploy bulk updates.

Automate patch deployment

Deploying patches has never been more convenient. Our patch management system lets you use a matrix of configurable policies to automate patch deployment as a part of your cybersecurity strategy. You can schedule scans to discover missing patches, identify new patch releases, deploy approved patches, set up reboot options based on user activity, and trigger approvals based on patch category or severity.

Custom task creation and automation

You can create custom policies for every client and every device. You also have the freedom to add conditions and actions to the policies. It also lets you create reusable policies that help simplify the patch management process and automate it. Our custom policy set can be sorted on the basis of client, site, and asset.

Patch sourcing

Our patch sourcing constantly works in tandem with the windows update agent to make sure you have all the patch intelligence at your disposal thereby reducing your attack surface exposure. With our patch management system, you are ready to deploy as new patches are released.

Cross-platform patch management

With cross-platform compatibility, you can manage patching and configuration updates across multiple operating systems and devices from a single platform.

Unlike the olden days of IT environment when Windows was the bread and butter, macOS and Linux have also found a place in IT infrastructure. So it only makes sense that your patch management system lets you deploy patches across operating systems, ensuring complete safety and efficiency.

Reporting

Reporting is the next step after successful patch deployment. Patch management software makes use of patching intelligence to come up with a report that acts as a summary or overview of patch status. It provides comprehensive information on errors via thorough vulnerability scanning to identify problems that may have occurred during deployment.

Explore our Best patch management software

What are the most common challenges of patch management?

Managing patches might seem straightforward, but in reality, it comes with several challenges that can make the process tricky for organizations:

• High volume of patches: Organizations often deal with a constant flood of updates for operating systems, applications, and firmware. Tracking and applying all of them, especially when using hundreds or thousands of apps, can quickly become overwhelming.

• Compatibility issues: Sometimes, new patches don’t play well with existing software or hardware. This can cause system crashes, errors, or slowdowns, which is why careful testing before deployment is essential.

• System downtime: Many updates require system restarts, which can disrupt business operations. For companies that operate 24/7, scheduling downtime is a major challenge.

• Remote and hybrid workforces – With employees working from home or multiple locations, ensuring that every device is updated and secure becomes more difficult.

• Lack of visibility: Without a clear overview of all IT assets, it’s easy to miss systems that need updates and identify new vulnerabilities. This can lead to gaps in coverage and unpatched vulnerabilities.

• Resource constraints:  Limited IT staff, time, and budget make manual patching slow and labor-intensive, often resulting in backlogs of pending updates.

• Prioritization and coordination: Deciding which patches are most critical and planning their deployment across different teams and systems can be complicated.

• Compliance and reporting: Organizations in regulated industries must maintain up-to-date systems. Generating clear reports to prove compliance can be difficult without automated tools.

Patch management: best practices

Inventory management

It is important to maintain an inventory of your IT assets. The assets can be categorized by device type, operating system, software version, hardware. An updated inventory will also help you consolidate software versions. Using different versions of the same software can be problematic on multiple levels (compatibility, security, patching). A practice of keeping a single optimized version of the software as standard across all devices will be beneficial in the long run.

Risk level assignment

Assigning risk level or severity ratings helps you prioritize your patch deployment order by defining which systems require immediate patch deployment and which can wait. This works in tandem with a functional inventory. You can assign risk levels to assets based on categories to determine which patches need urgent attention and which can wait.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recommends patching priority in the following order:

• Security software
• Operating system software
• Internet browsers and apps

Automated patch deployment

Automating patch deployment ensures that all of your organization’s endpoints are up-to-date. It helps with productivity and drastically reduces the margin of error. It simplifies the deployment process and removes the need for any manual intervention.

Defined patch management policy

A defined patch management policy lets you establish a well-documented step-by-step process around patching. This enables the effective deployment of patches.

Hire an MSP if you don’t have an in-house IT team

MSPs have expertise in IT solutions and that includes patch management. Hiring an MSP means that they will take care of your patch management requirements. This includes patch compliance, testing, inventory management, and deployment. An MSP can also act as an IT consultant and can help you strategize your business outcomes.

Consistency with vendor patch announcements

Developers and researchers in vendor companies consistently work to fix bugs and vulnerabilities in their applications. They come up with patches to remediate these issues. They inform the users about the availability of these patches through security update emails. One surefire way to not miss any of this information is to subscribe to the security update emails from all the vendors in your organization’s software portfolio.

Test the waters: trial running patches before deployment

Deploying new patches the second they’re available is not advisable. Sometimes, patches can have issues and vulnerabilities that need to be sorted out. This is why it’s always a good idea to test the patches first before proceeding with deployment. Try out the patch in one device, and depending on how the software reacts, decide if the patch is deployable.

What is a patch management software?

Patch management software is a tool that helps organizations keep their systems, applications, and devices up to date with the latest patches and security updates. Instead of manually tracking and installing each update, this software allows you to automate the process, making it faster and more efficient.

With patch management software, IT teams can:

• Scan devices to find missing updates

• Prioritize critical patches, like security fixes

• Test updates before deploying them to avoid problems

• Deploy patches automatically or on a schedule

• Monitor systems to ensure updates are applied correctly

• Generate reports to track compliance and security

What features to look for in a patch management software?

When choosing patch management software, it is important to pick one that makes the update process easy, safe, and efficient. Here are the key features to look for:

• Automation and scheduling: A good patch management tool should automatically scan for new updates, approve them based on your policies, and deploy patches on schedule. This reduces the need for manual intervention, minimizes human errors, and ensures critical updates are never missed.

• Cross-platform support: Many organizations use a mix of operating systems and applications. The software should support Windows, macOS, Linux, and key third-party apps like Adobe, Chrome, and Java, all from a single management console. This centralization saves time and simplifies patch tracking.

• Patch testing: Before deploying patches to live systems, the software should allow testing in a controlled environment. This ensures compatibility, prevents crashes, and avoids disruptions to critical business operations.

• Customization and control: Your organization may have specific policies or maintenance windows. The software should let you approve or decline patches, create custom workflows, and define when and how updates are applied to fit your operational requirements.

• Comprehensive reporting: Real-time, detailed reports on patch status, vulnerabilities, and compliance help IT teams stay on top of security risks. Reporting features are also essential for audits, regulatory compliance, and tracking which systems have been updated.

• Centralized dashboard: A clear, centralized dashboard gives IT teams a snapshot of the entire patching process. You can quickly see which systems are up-to-date, which require attention, and monitor overall patching progress.

• Alerts and notifications: The software should send instant alerts for failed updates, non-compliance, or missing patches. This allows IT teams to take immediate corrective action and reduce security gaps.

• Integration capabilities: Patch management doesn’t exist in isolation. Look for software that integrates seamlessly with your other IT management tools like ITSM, SIEM, or UEM systems to streamline workflows and improve visibility across all IT operations.

• Vendor support: Even the best software can face issues. Responsive, knowledgeable vendor support ensures that any problems during deployment or troubleshooting can be addressed quickly.

• Scalability: Your patch management solution should grow with your organization. It should handle more devices, users, and complex environments as your network expands.

• Ease of use: An intuitive interface, simple navigation, and clear documentation make it easier for IT teams to manage patches efficiently, reducing training time and mistakes.

• Remote support: With more employees working remotely, it’s important that the software can patch devices outside the corporate network without requiring VPN access, ensuring all endpoints remain secure.

Why is SuperOps the best patch management solution?

SuperOps is widely used in IT teams for patch management because it combines multiple functions into a single platform. Unlike setups where separate tools are required for monitoring, ticketing, and patch management, SuperOps brings everything together on one dashboard, making it easier to manage updates, assets, and tickets from a central location.

Here is what makes it practical for IT teams:

• AI-powered automation: Routine tasks such as deploying patches, routing tickets, and monitoring systems can be automated. This reduces manual effort and ensures updates are applied consistently.

• Customizable policies: Teams can create rules for patch deployment, like automatically approving critical updates while scheduling less urgent patches for off-peak times.

• Cross-platform support: The software handles both Windows and macOS systems, which is useful for organizations with mixed environments.

• User-friendly interface: The dashboard is clean and responsive, making it easier to navigate and manage multiple tasks at once.

• Security focus: By keeping systems updated, SuperOps reduces vulnerabilities. It also integrates with security scanning tools to highlight potential risks.

• Detailed control: IT teams can perform bulk updates, sort and filter software, and manage system reboots in a flexible way.

With Superops, we have redefined the patch management system and equipped it with features that will enrich your organization’s productivity. Get started for free today.

In conclusion

Having a patch management system in place means that your organization will always be in possession of the latest and the best. With all your software meeting the security compliance requirements, you can work in comfort knowing that your devices meet all the legal requirements and your applications are safe from security threats. It makes for mental peace and a generally secure environment for your employees. With constant updates, downtimes are going to be a rarity. That automatically pushes up your organization’s productivity in spades.

With Superops, we have redefined the patch management system and equipped it with features that will enrich your organization’s productivity in spades.

Frequently asked questions

What is the patch management lifecycle?

The patch management lifecycle is the process of keeping systems updated and secure. It includes identifying available patches, assessing their relevance, testing them in a safe environment, deploying them to production systems, verifying successful installation, and monitoring for compliance. Following this cycle ensures that vulnerabilities are minimized and systems remain stable and secure.

What is the purpose of patching?

Patching is done to fix security vulnerabilities, address software bugs, and improve system stability. It protects systems from cyberattacks, ensures compliance with industry regulations, and maintains optimal performance. By regularly applying patches, organizations reduce the risk of downtime, prevent data breaches, and keep applications and operating systems running smoothly.

How does patch management differ from vulnerability management?

Patch management focuses on applying updates to fix software and system vulnerabilities. Vulnerability management, however, is broader: it identifies, assesses, and prioritizes all potential security weaknesses, including those that may not yet have patches. Patch management is a subset of vulnerability management, acting as one method to reduce risks highlighted by vulnerability assessment.

Which KPIs should I track for patch management?

Key patch management KPIs include patch compliance rate, time to patch, number of failed patches, percentage of critical vulnerabilities addressed, and system downtime caused by patching. Tracking these metrics helps IT teams measure efficiency, identify gaps, and improve processes, ensuring that critical updates are applied promptly while minimizing disruption to business operations.

How do I manage third-party application patches?

Third-party application patches can be managed by using centralized patch management software that supports non-OS applications. This involves scanning for available updates, testing them in a controlled environment, and deploying them across all systems. Automation tools and scheduling features can simplify this process, ensuring that browsers, productivity tools, and other critical applications stay updated and secure.