Security patching is an essential part of endpoint protection and is an integral part of IT security processes in companies. Various statistics show the considerable risks that unpatched software harbours. For example, a survey carried out by Ponemon shows that 60% of breach victims were breached due to an unpatched known vulnerability where the patch was not applied.
So why is security patching not carried out to a sufficient extent, even though it is so important for protection against cyber attacks?
The answer: companies often consider the installation of security patches to be too complex and time-consuming.
The fact is, however, that patching is essential for security and therefore for the long-term success of a company. However, there are five key points to bear in mind.
5 important tips for security patching
1) Automate processes
Automation is the optimal approach to ensure that security patches can be installed without taking an excessive amount of time. With NinjaOne’s patch management tool, organisations can easily configure their security patching and then let it run automatically without worry.
2) Review all security patches
Before applying a security patch, organisations should run it in a suitable test environment to ensure that it works properly. Although testing takes time and resources, this extra effort is worthwhile as it prevents potential problems with devices or even the entire IT infrastructure.
3) Be proactive and prioritise security updates
To ensure that all systems are secure and up-to-date, IT departments should be proactive and prioritise security updates at the top of their agenda. Proactive notifications and alerts are an important support for this. They ensure that all updates can be carried out on time and effectively.
4) Create a complete overview of IT resources
An IT asset inventory lists all of a company’s IT resources. A recommended approach is to create a complete overview by device type, operating system, hardware and third-party applications. Once a company has a clear picture of its IT assets, it can compare known vulnerabilities with its inventory and create a sensible order of patching.
5) Develop guidelines for patch management
These guidelines structure the steps in the patching process and help IT departments to efficiently prioritise, test, implement and monitor their patches. As there are different patching guidelines, organisations should choose the one that suits their specific IT environment and needs.
Admittedly, comprehensive patching can take time. However, this is outweighed by the enormous importance for the cyber security of companies, and there are solutions that can help automate the cumbersome parts of patching to make organizations more efficient and productive. Companies should continuously address the issue of patch management and develop their patching strategy, not only to prevent cybercrime, but also to ensure the smooth running of their organisation.
By Andre Schindler, GM EMEA and SVP Global Sales at NinjaOne
Meet the NinjaOne steam on stand 461 at SITS, The Service Desk & IT Support Show on 14-15 May 2025 at Excel London.