Many successful cyberattacks don’t use clever new techniques. They exploit known vulnerabilities for which a patch already exists.

Why patching matters

Software vendors release fixes regularly. Once a flaw is public, attackers race to exploit it, and automated tools scan the internet looking for unpatched systems.

What to patch

– Operating systems: Windows, macOS, Linux

– Applications: browsers, Office, PDF readers, Java, and so on

– Firmware: network equipment, firewalls, printers, servers

– Third-party software that is easy to forget

– Mobile devices

Building a process

1. Inventory all devices and software

2. Set a schedule, such as monthly for routine updates

3. Prioritize by severity. Critical and actively exploited vulnerabilities need rapid action, in days rather than weeks.

4. Test on a pilot group before broad deployment

5. Deploy automatically using tools like Intune, Windows Update for Business, or an RMM

6. Verify that patches installed and report on compliance

7. Handle exceptions with documented risk acceptance

Common problems

– Devices that are off or rarely connected

– Servers that people fear rebooting

– End-of-life software with no patches available

– Unknown assets nobody manages

Metrics to track

– Percentage of devices fully patched

– Time to patch critical vulnerabilities

– Number of unsupported systems

Outsource if needed

Managed patching removes a heavy burden from small IT teams.

DBR Soft’s managed services include automated patching and reporting. Contact us for more information.