Time to Reorganize Your Patch Management Process
When you walk into a building lobby, your first impression will generally be positive if attention has been paid to the little details—helpful signage, tasteful and well-maintained decorative elements, clean and comfy furniture, and, of course, free WiFi with a good signal. There’s a comforting feeling that those in charge know what they’re doing and take pride in their work. By the same token, we would argue that patch management process excellence is the trademark of a well-run IT shop. If fundamental IT best practices are firmly established and enforced, then patch processes will proceed smoothly as well. But if IT is managed with insufficient attention to detail, then patching can easily become more about putting out fires than contributing to a consistently high-security posture. Patch management in and of itself is not rocket science. However, good patch management processes require full visibility into and categorization of all IT assets, diligent monitoring for patches and