Do I Need Patch Management?

Building a cyber security process and infrastructure requires many pieces of software. One of these is patch management.

For many business leaders, particularly those who aren’t very technically minded, patch management might seem like a complete enigma.

That’s why the experts here at UK Cyber Security have created this guide to patch management so that you can understand what it is, why you need it, and how you can implement it in your organisation.

What Is A Patch?

A patch is essentially an update to an existing piece of software on any programmable device. The patch is used to improve security features, fix known faults and more.

If you don’t apply patches and update your software regularly, then you could find that your system is vulnerable because it doesn’t have the latest security updates.

Also, patches can fix errors in the software, so they’re crucial for anyone who wants to make the most of their digital tools.

There are three main types of software patches: feature updates, bug fixes and security updates. Each one deals with a different area of software management.

Feature updates help software providers to offer cutting-edge software that has the functionality that users expect. Bug fixes deal with errors in code that could be causing the software to malfunction.

Finally, security updates make changes to the software to ensure that it remains one step ahead of cybercriminals and the latest updates in the cyber security market.

Each update is equally important, and businesses need to make sure that they always update their software when a new version is launched.

What Is Patch Management?

Patch management is an approach that ensures that all software on a network is up to date at all times. As part of this approach, companies need to understand when an update is ready to be deployed and then ensure that it is added immediately.

It is possible to undertake patch management manually, but this takes a lot of hard work and dedication. You’ll need to consolidate your software products and check every patch before you install it.

You’ll also need to stay up to date with the latest patches available to every piece of software that you have on your computer.

Another approach is to use a patch management software solution to identify and even instantly install patches onto your devices.

These tools can save you time, effort and energy, while at the same time ensuring that you constantly have up to date software on your machine.

Why Is Patch Management So Important To Cyber Security?

Patch management might not seem too important: after all, who hasn’t overlooked the odd software upgrade? While it might seem trivial, keeping your software up to date is actually crucial for your cyber safety.

That’s because out of date software can have security vulnerabilities, which will allow criminals to use malware to access your device and system.

As a result, patch management is a key part of the UK Government’s Cyber Essentials certification. It is also vital to achieving IASME Governance, which is an enhanced version of Cyber Essentials launched by the company that helped create the original certification.

These third-party certifications can show your clients, service users and industry peers that your organisation is dedicated to cyber security.

In a connected world where even brief downtime or a small cyber security breach could ruin a business, this certification is incredibly important.

To achieve it, you need to understand patch management and implement this crucial process throughout your organisation.

Patch management can also ensure that your company is always compliant with relevant regulations. In many industries, data protection is a key part of managing an online presence, and part of this involves patch management and protecting your system from malicious cyber attacks.

What Other Benefits Does Patch Management Have?

As well as being a vital part of any cyber security process, patch management also helps to ensure that software products work correctly.

By updating to the latest version, you can ensure that you get the latest cutting-edge features and that any bugs in the code are fixed.

Having a robust and reliable patch management system in place also means that you can potentially reduce system downtime. That’s because the software that drives your system will be working optimally, and no issues will take the system off-line.

Downtime reduction is crucial for any organisation because the more time your website is out of action, the more potential revenue is lost.

For most organisations, patch management is easier than you might think. All you need to do is find a patch management system that will notify you when an update is ready to be installed, and you can just wait for the notification.

That means that you can get all of these many benefits without having to put in a lot of time and effort. The result will be a secure, up to date computer system that operates to the highest possible standard.

How Can UK Cyber Security Group Help With Your Patch Management?

As an accredited partner offering Cyber Essentials and IASME Governance, UK Cyber Security understands the importance of patch management for any organisation.

Our team has the expertise to help companies to find a patch management tool that suits their exact requirements and fits into their budget.

Whether you want to conduct manual patch management or use software to save yourself time, we can help. Our staff are experienced at working with organisations in a wide range of niches, so they understand what you need.

We also offer a range of preventative cyber security services, including vulnerability analysis, penetration testing, data loss prevention and much more.

As well as these services, we also offer the benefit of our wisdom and expertise through our blog. On it, we post news, insights, guides and other digital resources to make cyber security information accessible for everyone.

For personalised insight and assistance, we can tailor our services to meet your needs. Get in touch, and a member of our team will be happy to help.