Automating your patch management process with Ethical IT : Benefits and Compliance
In today’s digital world, software vulnerabilities are a common occurrence, and it is essential for organisations to ensure that their systems are regularly updated with the latest security patches.
60% of data breaches in 2019 were linked to a vulnerability where a patch was available, but not applied – Ponemon Institute study
Many organisations, however, still manage their patching manually – or rather alarmingly not at all. Manually managing patches can be a time-consuming, costly and error-prone process, which is why many organisations turn to automated patch management solutions.
What is automated patch management?
Automated patch management (automated patching) is a proactive cybersecurity practice that streamlines and automates the process of identifying, deploying, and updating software patches on computer systems and networks. By automatically monitoring for vulnerabilities and applying necessary updates, organisations can fortify their digital infrastructure against potential cyber threats and maintain optimal system performance, enhancing overall security and productivity. Implementing automated patch management ensures continuous protection and minimises the risk of security breaches, making it a vital component of any robust cybersecurity strategy.
Staying Ahead in a Changing Landscape
As remote work and cloud-based systems become more prevalent, businesses need to ensure that they properly patch and secure all devices and applications. Automated solutions can assist organisations in keeping up with the constantly evolving security requirements and provide protection to their data and systems, irrespective of their access locations.
Automated patch management solutions can also help organisations maintain compliance with industry regulations and standards. Moreover, many regulations and standards, such as the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), Cyber Essentials (and Cyber Essentials Plus) and ISO27001 Information Security Management require organisations to regularly update their systems with the latest security patches. Automated patch management solutions can help organisations ensure that they are meeting these requirements.
In addition to the security benefits, automated patch management can also improve the efficiency and productivity of an organisation. By automating the process, organisations can free up their IT staff to focus on other tasks and reduce the risk of downtime.
The Power of Automated Patch Management vs. Manual Patches
The benefits of the automated approach become apparent as it streamlines and automates the process of identifying, deploying, and updating software patches. By promptly deploying critical updates, automated patch management fortifies organisations’ digital infrastructure against potential cyber threats, ensuring enhanced security. Moreover, it aids in compliance adherence with industry regulations and standards, minimising the risk of human errors, and optimising resource allocation for improved productivity. The clear advantages of automated patch management position it as a vital component of any robust cybersecurity strategy, providing organizations with proactive vulnerability mitigation and a competitive edge in today’s ever-changing security landscape.
5 Key Reasons to Automate Your Patch Management Process for Optimal Cybersecurity
- Enhanced security – automating the patch management process ensures the timely deployment of critical updates, fortifying your organisation’s digital infrastructure against potential cyber threats.
- Compliance adherence with industry regulations and standards – automated patching aids in meeting industry regulations and standards that require regular system updates, helping your business stay compliant and secure.
- Increased efficiency and productivity and reduced risk of human error – automated systems minimise manual errors and streamline the patching process, allowing you to focus on other crucial tasks while maintaining consistent and accurate updates.
- Proactive vulnerability mitigation – you can promptly identify and prioritise high-risk patches, reducing the window of vulnerability and mitigating potential security breaches.
- Optimised resource utilisation – by automating patch deployment, your organisation can optimize resource allocation, improve productivity, and minimise the risk of downtime caused by patch-related disruptions.
Overall, automated patch management is an essential tool for Ethical IT and our customers. Not only does it allow customers and Ethical IT alike to focus their time on more interesting, business-driving activities, but it also ensures that proper alerting and monitoring are in place to keep an eye on compliance levels.
Our automated patch management solutions are designed to be highly customisable, with a range of configuration options and settings. This allows organisations to tailor the solution to their specific needs and preferences, and to adjust it over time as their IT environment evolves.
Speak to Ethical IT today to learn how our solutions can help improve your security, compliance, productivity, and keep your business running smoothly.
Get in touch now to take the first step towards a safer and more secure future.
