How Automated Patch Management Helps Reduce Exposure to Known Vulnerabilities
Summary
An explainer on how automated patch management inventories software, tests and deploys updates, verifies installation, and follows up on failures to reduce delays in fixing known vulnerabilities.
Key points
- Automated patching typically covers software inventory, update testing, scheduled deployment, verification, reporting, and remediation of failed or missed updates.
- Faster remediation can reduce the time systems remain exposed to known vulnerabilities, including actively exploited flaws.
- Useful capabilities include real-time inventory, OS and third-party app coverage, cross-platform support, risk-based prioritization, flexible scheduling, enforcement, and compliance reporting.
- Recommended practices include pilot rollouts, prioritizing commonly exploited apps, setting user prompts and deadlines, preparing rollback options, and monitoring compliance and patch failures.
- The article describes Iru as offering patching and vulnerability management for Mac and Windows devices.
Article Details
- Topic
- Automated patch management: how it works, its benefits, selection criteria, best practices, and how Iru supports patching and vulnerability management.