What is the Importance of Patch Management in IT Security?

[Abhinav]

I wanted to know the significance of patch management.

[Bhuvan Srikanta]

Patch management is the process of managing a network by scanning, testing, and deploying missing patches. Applying patches to lots of devices in a network becomes cumbersome. Furthermore, it can have dangerous consequences if not done correctly. Some applications might break or cause other applications not to work.

Patch management software ensures that patches for your apps are installed regularly and on time. Patch management tools help make this process when the number of devices increases. Great patch management tool automates the manual task by scheduling patches. These tools also help make the rollback of patches easier if an app breaks.

Why do we need patch management?

Now that we have understood “what patching” and “what patch management is,” let’s understand why we need it. Every day, we discover new vulnerabilities in OSs or 3rd party applications. The vendors must ensure fixes to these vulnerabilities, usually in the form of patches. The need for patches is further compounded by the fact that unpatched software is one of the leading causes of cyberattacks.

Patch management software plays an essential role in the vulnerability management process. Patches are critical as they help reduce the attack surface of your device and decrease the chance of a security breach. Patches also provide a slew of other benefits that can improve the app’s security, performance, and user experience.

Security:
Attackers exploit new weaknesses in the application as soon as they are discovered. Patches become necessary to fix vulnerabilities and installing patches as soon as they are released is vital.

Feasibility:
When the number of devices and applications installed increases, it becomes difficult and time-consuming to apply patches to each of them manually. Automated patch management helps install these patches in a streamlined manner and also improves the speed and efficiency of the vulnerability management process instead of doing it manually.

Performance:
Patches are also used to improve the application’s performance, and patch management software helps you keep your applications regularly updated. Patches are essential, whether it is quality of life or performance improvements.

[Author]

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