Microsoft patch management strategy

Windows patch management is the process of managing patches for Microsoft Windows. Patches are a type of code that is inserted or patched into the code of an existing software program. It is typically a stop-gap measure until a new full release of the software becomes available. Windows Update is a Microsoft service for MS Windows operating systems that automates downloads of Windows software updates. The service not only delivers software updates, but also many Microsoft antivirus products.

While Microsoft attempts to quickly release security patches, frequently applying patches to production-level servers can have a negative effect on productivity and stability.

However, with the release of MS Windows 10, Microsoft has also started issuing cumulative updates for the new operating system. Patch Tuesday lets systems administrators prepare for possible impacts patch applications might have and warn their users. When a serious problem with a patch is reported, it can affect the computers where the update will be installed. This may increase the chances that an incompatibility with some particular system configuration or other software might cause the update to either fail or cause undesired behavior.

Microsoft uses the cumulative rollup concept for their security updates for Internet Explorer and Edge web browsers. Server patching acquires, tests and installs multiple code changes to administered computer systems to keep them updated.

The process also determines the appropriate software patches for each program and schedules the installation of the patches across different systems. Patching a server is more complex than patching a workstation. In contrast, server patching includes not only the server, but also the applications running on it and the middleware between applications.

Because the critical role servers play for an organization, downtime must be kept to an absolute minimum. Most administrators find it important to prioritize server patches.

As discussed earlier, Microsoft Windows Updates automates downloads of software updates. Businesses with only has a handful of Windows servers can use the Microsoft Windows Server Update tool to deploy Windows updates. But most organizations have a more multifaceted computer environment and end up using multiple tools for other work, such as Microsoft application software patches or Mac OS patches.

Here are a few reasons why patch management is a critical expenditure in almost any IT budget:. Security is the most critical benefit of patch management. Network security breaches are most commonly caused by missing patches in operating systems and other applications.

Net Framework. By installing security updates, you avoid damage to software, data loss and identity theft. Computer crashes due to defective software can still happen and this eventually leads to lower productivity levels. A patch, on the other hand, reduces the possibility of crashes and downtime, thereby allowing workers to do their tasks without interruptions. Patches are not always about fixing bugs.

They can also include new features and functionality that can tap into the latest innovations of the software. Microsoft is constantly working on new features and sending new functionality in the form of software patches, so downloading and installing them can help you work better and smarter. Cyberthreats have become commonplace and this is why regulatory bodies are mandating that businesses apply the latest patches to avoid these threats.

Noncompliance can lead to stiff penalties, so a good patch management strategy is necessary to comply with these standards. Employees increasingly use their personal and office devices interchangeably to do their work — requiring personal devices to be protected as well.

A good patch management software installs patches across all devices, regardless of their physical location. In the process, it addresses many of the challenges that come with using personal devices.

Installing the latest updates is not the most effective process of patch management. To learn more about how you can protect your time and empower your team, check out the cybersecurity awareness page this month.

Skip to main content. Organization or individual —All those who have tips and lessons learned from a successful enterprise management program or lessons learned from failures, challenges, or any other situations. During this journey, we also worked closely with additional partners and learned from their experience in this space, including the: Center for Internet Security CIS U.

You may also like these articles Featured image for Becoming resilient by understanding cybersecurity risks: Part 2. Whilst this may be uncomfortable reading, the ability to pre-empt and respond quickly to these attacks is now an organizational imperative that requires a level of close collaboration and integration throughout your organization which may not have happened to date.

Featured image for Understanding influences shaping the cybersecurity landscape, enabling digital transformation, and helping to protect our planet. It's recommended using Standard Change Template since patching activity is one of the mandatory activities which will be performed on a monthly basis.

Measuring the implanted work is always beneficial to the organization from the security audit point of view. For example — if you have four hours of downtime, then perform the patching compliance scan on second of third hours so that you can re-patch the servers within the same downtime under approved change. If you missed checking compliance within the same downtime window, then you may need to request for new downtime for business and also need to raise a separate change ticket.

Do not keep a backlog for a longer time. This impact on the overall compliance by end of month cycle. Microsoft recommends deploying OOB patches as soon as possible to avoid the external attack. For example, If the vulnerability is identified in Internet Explorer 9, then we have to identify how many servers in the environment are running with IE9. Data can be fetched by the compliance tool which you are using in your environment.

If you are using Microsoft SCCM , then you can create a custom report with a custom query to fetch this data. Assume after assessment, you have servers running with IE9 out of servers. In this case, you have to plan to patch these servers on priority. After the approval servers can be patched and reboot post business hours to minimize the business impact. If the standard changed management is not helping to fulfill the change management requirement, then you may need to go with an emergency change request.

Apart from these impacted servers, the rest of the servers you can patch as per your standard patching schedule. Sometimes installed antivirus software can mitigate the vulnerability, In this situation, you have to take a call with the security team. As far as installed antivirus is securing your environment, you can patch the servers in regular patching schedule. Make sure you have confirmation from antivirus vendor about security coverage. Patching and restart you can automate If you are going to take care of pre-work of resources movement before Patch deployment schedule.

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