Why Patch Management Should Be In Your IT Support Plan

What Is Patch Management

As we’ve shared in past blog posts, there are several critical security measures to monitor in order to maintain a secure business network for your organization. One of the items you’ll want to keep at the top of your cyber security to-do list is software updates. Included in the category of software updates are patches that need to be constantly monitored in order to keep a network highly secure. The management of these patches is known as Patch Management.

Patch Management aims at updating, testing, fixing or improving software programs. The process of creating strategies to deploy patches in a systematic manner is also another way to describe patch management. Applied patches may be used to fix security vulnerabilities, security gaps and performance bottlenecks. Having a patch management plan in place will help to ensure efficient updates are happening properly. These updates are a key component for establishing a secure business IT support plan. 

How Patch Management Works

A typical OS such as windows contains millions of lines of code, so it is impossible to ship without bugs. OS and software vendors release patches as when needed in response to a discovered vulnerability or program bugs.

Patch management tries to answer three questions:

  1. What should be patched?
  2. How regular patching should be applied.
  3. How to maintain system functionality after patching.

Functions of Patch Management

Patch management aims to solve three principal problems, which are:

  • Protecting your business from cyber attacks.
  • Improve software performance.
  • Solve compatibility issues with existing software.

The Importance of Patch Management

Patch management can help keep your business safe. Because it deals with vulnerabilities that can bring down your system, it is a mandatory part of proactive security management. Businesses that do not apply patches are at a greater risk of being the target of a data breach.

The decisions to patch a system can be complicated due to the possibility of breaking existing applications. Even with this, patch management cannot be ignored. Research has shown that  around 80% of cyber attacks involves software loopholes that have existing patches. If you don’t patch your system on time, you will make your business an attractive and easy target for cybercriminals.

Patch management allows you to test applications on newly patched OS before deploying them system-wide. This is to reduce the risk of a breakdown in critical business applications due to potential software glitches that may come with the patch.

Any type of delay for deploying security patches will leave your computer system open to cyber attacks. Hence patch management is about managing the risk of not deploying a patch and the risk of business disruption.

Patch Management and Cybersecurity

Ever since cybercriminals with little skills can launch attacks, cyber incidents have increased exponentially. Publicly available tools have made the works of hackers easier. Merely applying patches on random occasions is therefore not enough.

There are patch management techniques that can help keep your data safe and improve your network security. They are discussed below:

  1. Deploy proper discovery service: The first step to securing your system is to know the devices and services that exist on the network. The right discovery service automatically detects services on your network. The service should have both active and passive discovery capabilities. A discovery service helps keep your patch management up to date and ensures that no device endpoint is lagging behind in patch updates.

 

  1. Apply patch to all applications: Many of the programs on a business computer are third-party software. They do not benefit from the auto-update that are available for many OS by default. Because of this, attackers can take advantage of unpatched vulnerabilities in third-party software to hijack your computer. Thus, it is necessary to treat every software program on your computer as important and keep their patches up to date.

 

  1. Offer support for many OS: Modern work environment includes the use of computers with different operating systems including Windows, Mac and Linux. Your patch management must take this into consideration and support their integration and passion to automate patch.

 

  1. Set special preferences for fragile applications: You need to factor in the potential of a system breakdown when patching your applications. Some patches are known to break the functionality of an OS or software. If you have such programs, you can leave them unpatched. Not patching an application may open your system to common vulnerabilities, you need to set up the software in a way that will reduce the risk of attacks. You can do this by downgrading permissions and whitelisting network access for the software involved.

 

Patch management should be an important part of your business network security. If you ignore patches, you will make your business vulnerable to attacks. These attacks can be very costly to your organization. If your organization finds that they do not have the manpower to support a patch management plan, please contact SDTEK as we can manage such patches and make sure your most critical software is secure and staying up to date.

June 17, 2025
Meeting IT security compliance standards is crucial for businesses that handle sensitive data, particularly in industries such as healthcare, finance, defense, and e-commerce. Regulatory frameworks such as HIPAA, CMMC, PCI-DSS, and GDPR exist to help ensure businesses protect customer information and maintain robust cybersecurity practices. Unfortunately, many organizations fall short of these requirements, often due to common, avoidable mistakes. These gaps can result in costly fines, data breaches, and reputational damage, which can significantly impact the business's bottom line and customer trust. 1. Failing to Conduct Regular Risk Assessments The Pitfall: Many businesses overlook the importance of conducting routine risk assessments. Without these, it’s challenging to identify vulnerabilities or evaluate whether your current cybersecurity controls meet compliance standards. How to Avoid It: Implement a regular risk assessment schedule. Work with a qualified IT provider to evaluate your systems, identify weaknesses, and document remediation plans. These assessments should be performed at least annually, or whenever significant changes to the system occur. 2. Inadequate Employee Training The Pitfall: Your employees are your first line of defense—and often your most significant vulnerability. A common compliance issue arises when businesses fail to train staff on cybersecurity best practices or on handling sensitive data appropriately. How to Avoid It: Invest in ongoing cybersecurity awareness training. Ensure employees understand how to recognize phishing emails, create strong passwords, and report any suspicious activity. Training should be updated regularly to reflect current threats and compliance requirements. 3. Improper Data Handling and Storage The Pitfall: Storing sensitive data in unsecured locations, failing to encrypt information, or retaining data longer than necessary are significant compliance risks. These practices are often flagged during audits. How to Avoid It: Adopt data classification policies that define how different types of data should be handled; encrypt sensitive data both at rest and in transit. Establish clear data retention policies and ensure that obsolete data is disposed of securely. 4. Lack of Incident Response Planning The Pitfall: When a security incident occurs, time is of the essence. Many businesses lack a documented incident response plan, or their existing plan hasn’t been thoroughly tested. This can lead to delayed responses, increased damage, and regulatory penalties. How to Avoid It: Develop a formal incident response plan that includes roles, responsibilities, communication protocols, and steps for containment and recovery. Run simulated breach scenarios with your IT team to ensure everyone knows how to respond effectively. 5. Using Outdated Software or Systems The Pitfall: Running outdated operating systems, software, or firmware is a common issue that can lead to compliance failures. Unsupported technologies are more vulnerable to exploitation. How to Avoid It: Keep all systems and applications up to date with the latest patches. Use automated tools to track software versions and receive alerts about end-of-life technologies. Schedule regular maintenance windows to apply updates and upgrades. 6. Insufficient Access Controls The Pitfall: Allowing too many employees access to sensitive data—or failing to revoke access when it’s no longer needed—can lead to data breaches and non-compliance. How to Avoid It: Implement role-based access controls and follow the principle of least privilege. This principle means that each user should have the minimum level of access necessary to perform their job. Regularly audit user accounts and permissions to ensure access is current and appropriate. Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) to add an additional layer of protection. 7. Neglecting Third-Party Vendor Risks The Pitfall: Businesses often overlook the fact that their compliance responsibilities extend to third-party vendors. If a vendor mishandles your data, you could still be held accountable. How to Avoid It: Vet third-party vendors carefully. Ensure they meet the same compliance standards as your business and include security requirements in your contracts. Conduct periodic audits or request compliance certifications from your vendors. 8. Failing to Document Policies and Procedures The Pitfall: Even if your security practices are strong, failing to document your compliance policies can result in audit failures. Regulators want to see evidence that you have formal processes in place. How to Avoid It: Create and maintain clear documentation for all compliance-related policies, including data protection, access control, incident response, and employee training. Make these documents easily accessible for audits and regularly review them to ensure updates are current. Conclusion Compliance with IT security standards is not a one-time project—it requires ongoing attention, regular updates, and a proactive approach to maintain effectiveness. By understanding and addressing these common pitfalls, your business can stay ahead of regulatory requirements, strengthen its security posture, and reduce the risk of costly incidents. This ongoing attention is crucial to maintaining your business's security and audit readiness. If you’re unsure whether your business is meeting current IT compliance standards, professional support can help. Contact SDTEK today to schedule a compliance assessment and learn how our IT services can keep your business secure and audit-ready. With our support, you can navigate the complex landscape of IT security compliance with confidence.
April 9, 2025
In today’s digital-first world, cybersecurity isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity. Whether you run a small startup or a growing enterprise in Fort Wayne , protecting your business’s data, systems, and clients is essential for long-term success. From ransomware attacks to phishing scams, cyber threats are evolving every day, and the best way to stay ahead of them is by partnering with a reliable IT services provider that understands the unique needs of local businesses. Here’s why investing in professional business IT support is one of the smartest decisions Fort Wayne businesses can make—and how working with SDTEK helps protect your operations, your data, and your reputation.