In today’s increasingly complex IT and networking environments, automated patch management is a critical component of maintaining business operations and keeping organizations secure. Organizations are constantly under threat, with an average seeing 497 cyberattacks every week, and automated patching is one part of cybersecurity hygiene that helps reduce an organization’s attack surface.
While the trend in attacks seems likely only to rise, IT pros have been tasked with managing more devices and software as a result of our shift to remote and hybrid work environments. But patch management can be a time-consuming process and when you’re managing hundreds or thousands of endpoints, so the only way to do the job efficiently is through automation.
What is automated patch management?
Automated patch management uses software to automate the entire patch management process. With automated patch management software, IT teams can scan and deploy necessary patches to devices without manual intervention. By automating patching processes, an IT team will improve patch accuracy while reducing the amount of manual management required throughout the process.
Manual patching vs. automatic patching
Manual patching can provide a high level of control; however, it can also be time-consuming and labor-intensive, especially for organizations with large and diverse IT infrastructure. With manual patching, the risk of missed patches or incorrect configurations due to human error is high which can leave endpoint devices vulnerable to performance or security threats.
Automation allows users to identify, schedule, download, and deploy software or OS updates. Automated patching ensures that updates and patches are consistently distributed to endpoint devices, reducing the risk of security vulnerabilities and improving OS and software performance. It reduces the need for routine maintenanceand improves productivity.
Why use automate patching?
The long-term benefits of patch management far outweigh the initial resources needed for setup and configuration. By utilizing automation tools, IT teams can significantly reduce the time, effort, and costs of patch management. This frees up IT professionals to focus on tasks that are more critical or strategic to the business. In addition, automated patch management minimizes the risks – such as a new patch not being deployed on time due to human error – and ensures that patches are distributed consistently.
How does automated patch management work?
Automated patch management utilizes automation tools that identify, download, deploy, and schedule patches for all devices in an organization’s IT environment. The process typically involves scanning systems for missing patches, prioritizing updates based on severity, testing patches in a controlled environment, and deploying them automatically. Continuous monitoring and reporting help ensure the effectiveness of the process and compliance with security standards.
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Importance of automated patch management
Automated patch management helps secure endpoint devices by patching out software vulnerabilities. This proactive approach to patch management can also help IT teams maintain compliance with regulatory requirements and industry standards.
Another vital role of automated patch management is to reduce downtime. Unpatched vulnerabilities can lead to device performance suffering or even data breaches. Automation tools also allow technicians to schedule patches so that they are deployed at a convenient time to end-users to avoid interrupting their work.
What are the challenges of automated patch management?
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Increasing number of patches
Patch management is easy to fall behind in, due to the sheer number of patches coming out. Every year, thousands of common vulnerability and exposure (CVE) reports are issued, and IT teams have to react quickly to apply the patches.
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Device and system updates
In addition to patching potential security vulnerabilities, IT teams also have to keep software, operating systems, and devices up to date and properly configured to ensure top performance. This is one step of the patch management process that can be automated to improve efficiency.
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Outdated IT inventory management
Staying up to date on IT inventory management has always been a challenge, especially now as organizations transition to remote and hybrid workforces. Managing your IT asset inventory allows you to get a clear picture of how many endpoints you have and how many of them require patching.
What are the benefits of automated patch management?
Strengthen security
The main reason why organizations implement an automated patch management system is to strengthen security. Many organizations put off patching since it can be complex and time-consuming, but doing so can have serious consequences. According to CNP Technologies’ explanation on the importance of patching, “57% of cyberattack victims report that their breaches could have been prevented by installing an available patch.” Many cyberattacks could have been prevented if an automated patch management system was in place to deploy necessary patches.
Boost productivity
A recent patching study by Ivanti discovered that “(71%) of IT and security professionals found patching to be overly complex, cumbersome, and time-consuming.” Instead of spending time and energy on patching, IT professionals can use automated patch management software to take the work off their hands. After automating patching processes, an IT team can focus their time and energy on other critical projects, thus boosting their productivity and effort.
Reduce mistakes
Even the most talented IT professionals make mistakes on occasion. Since automated patch management software does not rely on human input, it reduces manual errors that often occur when patching. Some examples of manual patching errors are skipping patching a system, missing a failed update notification from a patched system, and pushing a wrong version of the software update. Automated patch management systems reduce such errors and allow you to schedule patching whenever you need it.
Simplify reporting
In a recent IT compliance study by Hyperproof, 45% of respondents said they plan to spend more on IT risk management and compliance in 2022 vs. 2021. More and more organizations are turning to automated patch management solutions in order to follow security and compliance standards. Automated patch management simplifies patch reporting for compliance audits and ensures that necessary patches are deployed for security standards.
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Get started with automated patch management
Automated patch management is something all organizations should consider implementing to achieve higher levels of security compliance and improve the productivity of their employees. At a time when organizations are under more and more pressure from cyber threats, patch management is an important part of cybersecurity hygiene that modern IT departments must contend with.
NinjaOne utilizes the power of its built-in RMM to automate patching with high levels of granularity. Sign up for a free demo today and start automating your patch management process.
FAQs
What is patch management?
Patch management refers to the process of keeping operating systems or applications up-to-date by ensuring that patches and updates are consistently deployed to all the devices in an IT environment.
How to automate a patching process?
To automate a patching process, organizations can utilize a software that offers robust automation and patch management. Patch management tools should be configured to scan for missing patches, prioritize updates based on how critical they are, and schedule their distribution.
What are the consequences of not deploying patch management?
Failing to deploy the latest patches can lead to significant security risks. Security patches address software vulnerabilities which reduces the chance of data breaches and malware infections. These security concerns can also make it more difficult for organizations to keep up with compliance with regulatory standards. Regularly updating operating systems and software also ensures that device systems and applications perform optimally.
How can you automate patch management for mobile devices?
Mobile Device Management (MDM) software allow IT administrators to automate the patch management process of a business’ mobile fleet, regardless of if the devices is corporate-issued or bring-your-own-device (BYOD). MDM software can enforce update policies, schedule automatic patch deployments, and monitor the patch status of all enrolled devices. This ensures that any mobile devices with access to corporate resources remain secure and compliant with organizational policies by regularly applying necessary updates and patches.
