Guidance on cyber security patch management

 

By keeping systems up to date and protected against known vulnerabilities, organisations improve their security posture and reduce the risk of cyber attacks. This protection is achieved through cybersecurity patch management. Here we explain what it consists of, phases and best practices.

 

What is patch management in cybersecurity?

Patch management is an essential practice within cyber security that focuses on keeping computer systems up to date and protected against known vulnerabilities. Patches are software updates that vendors release to fix security flaws, software bugs and improve functionality. Patch management ensures that these updates are applied in a timely and effective manner, minimising the risk of exploitation by attackers. The importance of patch management lies in its ability to protect systems against cyber threats. Vulnerabilities in software can be exploited by attackers to gain unauthorised access, steal data, install malware or disrupt operations. Once detected, vendors provide updates, called patches, to correct them. By patching on a regular basis, organisations can close these security gaps and significantly reduce the risk of incidents. In this way, security patch management plays an important role in business continuity. Security incidents can involve significant disruptions to operations. By keeping systems up to date, organisations minimise the risk of disruption and ensure continuity of operations. In addition, patch management contributes to the stability and performance of systems. Importantly, updates not only fix security flaws, but can also improve the efficiency and functionality of software. This translates into a better user experience and increased productivity for the organisation. As an associated benefit, security patch management also aids in regulatory compliance. Many regulations and industry standards, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) or certifications such as ENS or ISO 27001, require organisations to develop a regular security patch management protocol to keep their systems up to date and protected against known vulnerabilities. Failure to comply can result in penalties and loss of certifications.

 

 

Phases of patch and update management

The patch and update management process generally consists of the following steps:

Identification

In this phase, vulnerabilities and necessary updates to corporate systems and applications are identified. It involves reviewing sources of security information, such as vendor security bulletins, vulnerability databases and security alerts. The main objective of this phase is to detect through proactive security any vulnerabilities that could be exploited by attackers. By identifying these vulnerabilities, the organisation can manage the necessary updates and patches to mitigate the risks. In addition, early identification of vulnerabilities allows the organisation to plan and coordinate the implementation of patches efficiently, minimising the impact on daily operations.

Asset management

During this phase, a detailed inventory of all IT assets, including hardware, software and devices connected to the network, is carried out. This inventory allows the organisation to have a clear view of the systems and applications that need to be upgraded. Asset management involves identifying and classifying each asset according to its criticality and function within the organisation. It helps prioritise patches and upgrades, ensuring that the most critical systems are upgraded first. It also allows for the detection of obsolete or unauthorised assets that could pose a security risk. Maintaining an up-to-date inventory of assets also facilitates the planning and coordination of updates, minimising the impact on day-to-day operations. You may be interested in→ The role of cyber intelligence in preventing digital fraud.

Patch monitoring

In this phase, the status of patches applied is continuously monitored to ensure that they have been installed correctly and that systems are functioning as expected. Monitoring involves the use of specialised tools and software that track and report the status of patches on all IT assets. It allows the organisation to quickly detect any problems or failures in patch deployment and take immediate corrective action. In addition, monitoring helps identify new vulnerabilities that may arise after patching, ensuring that systems remain protected. Maintaining constant vigilance also facilitates reporting and auditing, demonstrating compliance with security policies and regulations.

Prioritisation of patches

This phase involves assessing and ranking the available patches according to their importance and urgency. Prioritisation criteria may include the criticality of the vulnerabilities they address, the potential impact on systems and the availability of workarounds. During this phase, a risk analysis is performed to determine which patches should be applied first. Patches that fix critical vulnerabilities that could be exploited by attackers are usually given the highest priority. In addition, the impact on business continuity is considered, ensuring that patching does not disrupt essential operations. Effective patch prioritisation helps to minimise security risks and maintain operational stability. It is a balance between protecting systems and ensuring that updates are deployed in an orderly manner and without causing significant disruption.

Patch testing

In this phase, patches are applied in a controlled and isolated environment, known as a sandbox, before being deployed on production systems. The main objective is to verify that the patches do not cause unexpected problems, such as conflicts with other applications, system crashes or data loss. Extensive testing is carried out to ensure that the patch works correctly and does not introduce new vulnerabilities. In addition, the impact on system performance is assessed and critical functionalities are verified to ensure that they continue to operate as expected. This phase also includes documenting the test results and identifying any issues that need to be resolved before final deployment. The patch testing phase ensures that upgrades are performed in a safe and efficient manner, minimising risks and ensuring operational continuity.

Implementation of patches

The patch deployment phase is the last and critical step in an organisation’s patch and update management process. During this phase, patches that have been tested and approved are deployed to production systems. The process begins with detailed deployment planning, including scheduling maintenance windows to minimise disruption to operations. Users are notified of the timing and expected impact of the upgrade. Patches are then applied according to a pre-defined plan, ensuring that the proper procedures are followed for each system. It is essential to monitor the process in real time to detect and resolve any problems that may arise. After implementation, additional testing is performed to confirm that the patches have been applied correctly and that the systems are functioning as expected. Finally, the process is documented and the success of the implementation is reported. This phase ensures that systems are protected and operational, with a minimum of disruption.

 

Best practice for patch management

In general, in order to maintain proper security patch management within the organisation, it is recommended:

Promoting accountability

Accountability implies that all team members understand the importance of timely and effective patching. It is achieved by implementing clear policies and assigning specific roles for patch management. In addition, it is essential to foster a culture of transparency and open communication, where patch status is regularly reported and potential vulnerabilities are discussed. Ongoing training and cyber threat awareness are also critical to ensure that staff are prepared to face challenges.

Creating a recovery plan

This plan ensures that, should a patch cause unexpected problems, the system can be restored to its previous operating state quickly and efficiently. A good recovery plan should include regular backups of all critical systems and data, as well as clear procedures for reverting changes made by patches. In addition, it is important to periodically test the recovery plan to ensure its effectiveness and update it as necessary. Detailed documentation and staff training are also crucial to ensure that everyone knows how to act in the event of an emergency. By implementing a robust recovery plan, organisations minimise downtime and reduce the impact of potential failures to maintain maximum operations.

Being intentional

Intentionality involves planning and executing patching with a clear and defined purpose. This includes carefully evaluating available patches, prioritising those that address critical vulnerabilities, and scheduling their implementation at times that minimise the impact on operations. In addition, being intentional requires effective communication with all team members, ensuring that everyone understands the objectives and procedures related to security patch management. It is also important to continuously monitor and evaluate results to adjust strategies as needed.

 

 

Find out how Kartos by Enthec can help you with patch and update management.

Kartos XTI Watchbots, the automated Cyber Intelligence platform developed by Enthec, provides organizations with information obtained from the analysis of CVEs in real time as defined in the standard.
In this way, organizations can know in real-time which corporate assets are outdated and, therefore, have exposed vulnerabilities that could be exploited to execute a cyberattack.
Contact us to learn about our cyber intelligence solutions and how Kartos can help you effectively manage your organization’s patches and updates.