In today’s market, the abundance of software applications and updates has created a challenging environment for enterprise security teams. With an increasing number of new software vulnerabilities being discovered by ethical hackers, it is crucial for organizations to implement strong patch management strategies to protect their endpoints. However, according to reports, 43 percent of IT and security teams struggle to secure devices at speed and scale, emphasizing the need for effective patch management solutions. To help organizations bolster their security posture and safeguard their endpoints, several helpful tips have been provided.
Firstly, it is important to implement proper access rights within an organization. Granting employees admin rights may seem like a convenient approach, but it can lead to human error when it comes to patching vulnerabilities. IT teams should not trust end-users with patching responsibilities. Instead, they should establish strict patch management protocols that restrict users to installing specific applications only after entering their password. By blocking them from installing potentially dangerous software, the risk of errors can be significantly reduced.
Another important aspect of patch management is prioritizing patches and vulnerability risks. The sheer volume of patches, vulnerabilities, and potential threats can overwhelm enterprise IT teams. To tackle this challenge, it is essential to rank patches and vulnerabilities based on their risk level. By examining severity ratings and assessing the potential impact on the system, IT teams can determine which updates are the most critical. Prioritizing these updates ensures that the most important vulnerabilities are addressed promptly and effectively.
It is worth noting that relying solely on “free” patching services can be risky. While these tools may seem appealing, they often lack the comprehensive security coverage needed to protect against vulnerabilities. Many free patch tools focus on providing system-specific patches, neglecting other applications that may be running on the system. Additionally, these tools may require coding expertise or integrations with other solutions to fully secure the system. The total cost of ownership for free patching tools is generally high. Therefore, it is recommended to invest in patch management solutions that offer cross-platform support, reliable third-party patching, and robust reporting capabilities to ensure comprehensive patching coverage.
One crucial principle of effective patch management is to never delay patching. No software is ever fully protected against bugs, and organizations must prioritize patch releases accordingly. However, a significant number of security incidents occur due to delayed patching. A recent survey revealed that 78% of IT teams do not patch critical vulnerabilities within 24 hours, providing ample time for threat actors to exploit vulnerabilities. Delayed patching can have catastrophic consequences, as demonstrated by the Equifax breach in 2017. The breach, which exposed 143 million users’ personal information, was a result of a vulnerability going unpatched for 76 days. Organizations that delay patching put their employees, partners, and brands at risk. Automating the patching process is an effective way to ensure that all patches are promptly updated and vulnerabilities are addressed in a timely manner.
While automatic updates provided by operating systems and third-party applications may seem convenient, they should not be solely relied upon. These automatic updates may not be compatible with locked-down devices, potentially causing installation issues. Moreover, they can create a false sense of security and disrupt productivity if triggered during working hours. IT teams should create their own update schedule and follow patch management best practices to evaluate, test, and release new patches efficiently using automated tools.
Finally, organizations need to consider the big picture when it comes to patch management. Risks and vulnerabilities in the most protected security environments are constantly changing. For example, certain devices and applications may still be at risk despite utilizing patching tools like WSUS or Java. Staying current on what is happening in the organization’s environment can be challenging, but having a well-defined patch strategy and protocols in place is crucial. This includes the visibility to assess new threats and ensure that updates are happening as needed.
In conclusion, patch management is an essential aspect of maintaining a strong security posture for organizations. As the number of devices to protect continues to grow, patch management strategies and tactics need to evolve alongside the evolving threat landscape. By implementing the aforementioned tips, organizations can ensure that their endpoints are effectively protected against known and unknown vulnerabilities. However, it is equally important for organizations to stay vigilant and adapt to the fast-paced environment of cybersecurity to avoid falling behind and potentially compromising their security.