Cybersecurity Glossary
Patch Management
The routine of applying security updates promptly and confirming that they applied.
What Patch Management means
Patch management covers operating systems, applications, browsers, plugins, firmware and network devices. The hard part is rarely the installing; it is knowing what you have, confirming updates actually landed, and handling the machines that are always switched off when updates run.
Why Patch Management matters for small businesses and nonprofits
The majority of successful intrusions exploit vulnerabilities for which a fix existed. Patching is unglamorous and it prevents more incidents than most security purchases.
What to do about Patch Management
- Keep an inventory, because you cannot patch what you have forgotten about
- Set a target window, for example critical updates within seven days, and measure against it
- Include firmware on routers, cameras and printers, which is commonly ignored
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