While out-of-date software is one of the most common vulnerabilities and organisations, how to patch effectively and efficiently is an art in itself.
Table of Contents
Why Timely Patching is Crucial for Security and Compliance
Establishing a Clear and Effective Patching Policy
Prioritising Security Over Features: The Right Focus
Leveraging Automation for Efficient Patching Processes
Comprehensive Testing and Validation Before Wide Rollout
Continuous Monitoring, Reporting, and Improvement
Conclusion - Patching Best Practices Download
Why Timely Patching is Crucial for Security and Compliance
Unpatched systems and software (i. e. systems without unfixed security flaws) are a leading cause of security breaches. When vulnerabilities remain unaddressed, they create openings that cybercriminals can exploit. This is particularly concerning given the increasing sophistication of cyberattacks. Ensuring timely patching is not just about maintaining system integrity, but also about safeguarding sensitive data and maintaining trust with clients and stakeholders.
Moreover, compliance with standards such as ISO 27001 and Cyber Essentials ask for evidence of proactive patching. Failure to comply can result in significant fines and damage to reputation. Timely patching is a proactive measure that reduces the risk of breaches, and by doing so protects your organisation from both financial and reputational harm. And yet, most organisations are still running critical systems with known Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs).
What's more is that default patch cycles miss edge cases such as custom apps, legacy systems, and remote endpoints. Additionally, Microsoft 365 and Azure systems don’t auto-patch every element – things like PowerShell modules, Intune policies, and connector integrations often get missed.
Remember EternalBlue?
In 2017, the NHS, along with other organisations, fell victim to EternalBlue. The cause? A supported but unpatched version of Windows 7, causing major disruption among the affected hospitals - with staff being locked out of their computers and critical and emergency operations and routine appointments cancelled.
Why Is Patching Neglected?
First, you need the resources to stay on top of patching: it takes effort and hence time, requiring an overview of all devices and software across the business.
There's also an inherent risk: Maybe the update fixes one thing but then breaks another, so there's always the need to test on a limited number of endpoints first before rolling out patches across the entire business. A failed patch roll-out could - most devastatingly - serve as the attack surface for a cybercriminal.
What we often see when onboarding a new client is that they state they're 'pretty good at keeping up to date with updates' (downloading) but not so good at rebooting and managing third-party vulnerabilities. And that means if you don't know where they are, other people will.
Lastly, there's also the case of obsolescence, e.g. of Windows 10 and Office 2016/2019 for which security updates are only available for a limited amount of time after end of support is announced.
Establishing a Clear and Effective Patching Policy
A well-defined patching policy is the cornerstone of an effective patch management strategy. This policy should clearly outline the responsibilities of security teams, operations, and application owners. Establishing Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for patching timelines ensures that everyone understands their role and the urgency of the task.
The policy should also outline the frequency and timing of patch deployments. For instance, Windows updates often follow Microsoft's Patch Tuesday schedule, but emergency patches may be necessary to address critical vulnerabilities. A robust policy is the first step in creating a structured and reliable patch management process.
Prioritising Security Over Features: The Right Focus
While feature updates may improve the user experience and add functionality, security patches should always take precedence. Cyber threats evolve rapidly, and a vulnerability left unpatched can quickly become a significant risk.
Equally important is the patching of third-party applications - as we've mentioned above, they're often neglected - which are frequent targets for attackers. Software such as browsers, Adobe products, Zoom, and VPNs should never be overlooked. By prioritising security patches, you can effectively minimise your attack surface - along with setting up MFA, conditional access etc. that we addressed in previous posts.
Leveraging Automation for Efficient Patching Processes
Manual patching is not only time-consuming but also prone to human error. Leveraging automated, centralised patching tools can significantly reduce the workload on IT teams and ensure that patches are applied consistently across all systems.
Tools like Microsoft Intune, System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM), Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), and Windows Autopatch can streamline the patching process. For third-party applications, solutions like Action1 can be invaluable. Automation ensures that patches are deployed swiftly, reducing the window of vulnerability.
Comprehensive Testing and Validation Before Wide Rollout
Even the most critical patches can cause disruptions if not properly tested. Always pilot patches on a small group of devices to ensure stability and compatibility before a wider rollout. This approach allows IT teams to identify and resolve any issues that could impact business operations.
Maintaining pilot groups for validation is essential. By testing patches in a controlled environment, you can mitigate the risk of widespread issues and ensure a smoother deployment process.
Continuous Monitoring, Reporting, and Improvement
Effective patch management doesn't end with deployment. Continuous monitoring and reporting are crucial for tracking compliance and identifying exceptions. Dashboards provided by tools like Intune and SCCM enable IT teams to monitor the percentage of devices patched within the SLA and track any pending exceptions.
Regular reporting to leadership ensures transparency and accountability. Additionally, continuous improvement is vital. Reviewing failures and lessons learned after each patching cycle can help refine the process. Retiring unsupported applications and OS versions, and staying aligned with vendor roadmaps and advisories further enhances the patch management strategy.
Conclusion
In summary, a solid patching strategy is essential for reducing business risk. By establishing a clear policy, prioritising security, leveraging automation, and maintaining rigorous testing and monitoring processes, you can ensure your organisation's systems remain secure and compliant. Treat delays as exceptions, not the norm, and continuously strive for improvement to stay ahead of evolving threats. Proactive patching means less response time is required during an incident, you have fewer open vulnerabilities, and better uptime.
