timetopatch

Timetopatch is a cybersecurity metric that quantifies the time elapsed between a vulnerability becoming known publicly and the deployment of a fix across affected systems. It is used to assess an organization's patch management effectiveness and to compare industry performance. Different sources define timetopatch slightly differently; some measure from public disclosure to patch availability, others from disclosure to completion of patch deployment or confirmed remediation.

Measuring timetopatch typically requires correlating vulnerability reports, vendor advisories, patch release notes, and asset deployment data. Organizations may compute an average timetopatch across critical assets or report percentile targets. The metric is commonly expressed in days or hours and is sensitive to how broadly the vulnerability affects the environment.

Factors that influence timetopatch include vulnerability severity, patch complexity, compatibility risks, downtime requirements, and dependencies on third parties. Zero-day vulnerabilities often constrain patching to vendor timelines while organizations must balance testing and risk before deployment. In large enterprises, phased rollouts and cross-system coordination can substantially extend the time to patch.

Best practices to reduce timetopatch include maintaining an up-to-date asset inventory, automating vulnerability scanning and patch deployment, implementing formal patch management policies, and applying risk-based prioritization. Pre-deployment testing, staged rollout with rollback plans, and continuous status monitoring help ensure patches reach all affected systems reliably.

Timetopatch is part of broader vulnerability remediation and patch management programs. It complements measures such as mean time to detect, remediation SLAs, and patch cadence, supporting risk reduction, regulatory compliance, and organizational resilience.