Keeping your IT infrastructure secure is of the highest priority. A data breach could cause a significant data loss which leads to downtime and recovery. Part of keeping your network secure is ensuring that you have a patch management strategy in place. Patching repairs any vulnerabilities in your network. Patches can apply to firewalls, operating systems, routers, email clients, desktops, and more. There are a number of patches needed on any given day on a regular basis. This is why having a patch management process included as part of your IT maintenance is crucial to helping protect your network from security threats.
The Patch Management Process
The process used for patch management differs depending on the IT infrastructure of a company. In most cases, a large company with a large infrastructure typically automates patch management. This reduces the need for manual implementation. Small to mid-sized companies often choose to outsource their patch management to a managed IT services provider. A managed service provider can perform patches remotely.
There are a number of vulnerabilities that can endanger your network at any time. Patch management is a form of preventative maintenance that helps ensure your infrastructure’s security. In some cases, there is a vulnerability in which a patch has not yet been released. A patch management system monitors your network and alerts technicians of exploits so that they can take action to prevent an attack even while a patch is in the process of being created.
Patch management is an essential part of any IT network security plan. Keep your network safe and secure by ensuring your network has a patch management process in place.