Patch management
The process of tracking, prioritising, testing and applying security updates for operating systems, applications and devices on time.
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Why it matters
A significant share of breaches happens through flaws whose patches have been out for months. A regular patching process closes the ready-made doors attackers could use. Actively exploited flaws are put first; the rest are applied in planned maintenance windows.
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Example
A company makes the second week of each month its update week: patches are tried on a test server first, then rolled out to production. When an actively exploited flaw is announced, the patch is applied the same day without waiting.
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Common mistake
Updating only the computers and forgetting servers, network devices, plugins and the libraries in use. Firewalls and VPN appliances are among attackers' favourite targets.
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Related terms
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