Patch Management: An Essential Part of Data Security

Outdated software is one of the biggest security risks facing modern businesses. It creates serious vulnerabilities that cybercriminals can exploit, leading to data breaches, ransomware attacks and other cybersecurity issues that can damage reputations and cause financial losses.

To counter this, organizations need a comprehensive patch management strategy that keeps systems up-to-date and secure by removing vulnerabilities as soon as possible after they are discovered. Implementing an effective approach to this is essential for maintaining security, protecting sensitive data and meeting compliance requirements in an evolving threat landscape.

Unpatched software is a serious security risk that leaves businesses exposed to cybercriminals. Attackers frequently search for systems that have not been updated, exploiting known vulnerabilities to gain access, as these present easy targets. Once inside, they can install ransomware, steal sensitive data or use compromised systems to launch further attacks.

According to the US National Vulnerability Database, there were 40,003 common vulnerabilities and exposures recorded in 2024, marking a nearly 39 percent increase from the previous year. While only a small portion were able to be exploited, hackers are quick to take advantage of these when they spot an opportunity, with research by Google suggesting that the average time between a vulnerability being disclosed and exploited is just five days.

Many of these issues are also already being used by hackers before they are noticed by security researchers. Google stated 70 percent of vulnerabilities were first exploited as zero day attacks, giving businesses even less time to defend themselves.

Despite these risks, figures from BitSight suggest it takes organizations an average of four and a half months to remedy critical vulnerabilities. By implementing a robust patch management strategy, businesses can close these gaps and significantly reduce their exposure to attacks.

Implementing an effective patch management strategy is not without its challenges. As businesses grow, so does their network sprawl, with an ever-increasing number of devices and applications to manage. This complexity makes it harder to track which systems need updates, especially when each device may run different versions of software.

Compatibility issues with legacy systems also pose a risk. Older applications may not support modern patches, leaving organizations with the difficult choice of either a potentially costly upgrade or risking exposure.

Remote workers and the use of personally-owned devices further complicate patch management. Ensuring that these devices comply with security standards and receive timely updates can be challenging, especially without the proper controls in place. While solutions such as zero trust network access and microsegmentation can mitigate many of the risks posed by remote workers, it can still be hard for businesses to gain visibility into any vulnerabilities on personally-owned devices.

Taking a structured approach to patch management ensures that updates are applied efficiently, reducing the risk of vulnerabilities being exploited or endpoints being overlooked. Here are some essential steps every organization should follow:

• Take an asset inventory: Identify all devices, systems and applications to determine what needs to be patched and prioritize critical assets.
• Conduct a vulnerability assessment: Regularly scan for missing patches or outdated software and assess the risk each poses to the business.
• Test patches thoroughly: Test updates in a controlled environment to ensure they do not disrupt business operations or cause compatibility issues.
• Make a clear deployment plan: Apply patches systematically, starting with the most critical systems, to minimize downtime and disruption.
• Verify success: Confirm that patches have been successfully applied and that all systems remain stable and secure.
• Create documentation: Maintain clear records of all patches applied, including dates and systems affected. This will be valuable to confirm compliance requirements and assist in future audits.

Implementing best practices in patch management helps organizations stay ahead of potential threats while minimizing operational disruptions. The following best practices help organizations build a reliable, efficient patch management process that supports data security and compliance efforts.

• Use dedicated patch management software: Deploy tools that automate patch deployment, monitoring and reporting to streamline the process and reduce human error.
• Establish a clear policy: Define roles and responsibilities so everyone knows their tasks and accountability for managing patches.
• Create and publish a schedule: Set a regular patching cadence to ensure updates are applied consistently and at times that will cause the least disruption to everyday operations.
• Have a rollback plan: Prepare for unexpected issues by having a tested plan to revert to a previous system state if a patch causes compatibility problems or other issues.

While patch management is a critical part of a layered security strategy, it cannot defend against every threat, such as zero day exploits or social engineering attacks. Businesses need to adopt a comprehensive approach that includes zero trust principles to verify users and devices continuously, anti data exfiltration solutions (ADX) to stop unauthorized data removal and user education to reduce the risk of human error.

By integrating patch management with these other essential controls, organizations can significantly strengthen their overall security posture and protect sensitive data against an ever-evolving threat landscape.