patchmanagement

Patch management is the process of acquiring, testing, and installing software updates, or patches, to systems and applications to fix vulnerabilities, address bugs, or improve functionality. Proper patch management reduces the attack surface and supports compliance with security and risk management requirements.

The patch management lifecycle typically includes: discovery and inventory of hardware and software assets; assessment of available patches based on severity and relevance; testing in a controlled environment to validate compatibility and prevent unintended side effects; planning and approval aligned with change management; deployment and installation across endpoints, servers, and devices; verification to confirm patches are applied and operational; and ongoing maintenance with rollback procedures if needed. Effective patching also involves documenting decisions and maintaining audit trails.

Scope encompasses operating systems, applications, firmware, and drivers across on-premises, cloud, and bring-your-own-device environments. Tools used include patch management software, vendor-specific update services, and platform package managers, sometimes integrated with endpoint management or configuration management systems. Metrics such as patch compliance rate and mean time to patch (MTTP) are used to measure performance and help prioritize efforts.

Standards and guidance from frameworks like NIST and ISO/IEC 27001 inform governance, risk assessment, and control requirements related to patching. Common challenges include coordinating patches across heterogeneous environments, testing complexity, potential downtime, compatibility with business applications, and maintaining visibility into vulnerable assets. Well-designed patch management programs reduce risk, improve stability, and support regulatory and contractual obligations.