What are the benefits of patching?

Software patching offers a wide variety of benefits to organizations. Key benefits include the following:

• Improved security: Through the application of patches, software vendors are able to fix security vulnerabilities in their products as they are identified. As such, regular patching can provide better protection against evolving cyber threats to protect against unauthorized access, data breaches, and operational disruption.

• Regulation compliance: By remediating known vulnerabilities to identified vulnerabilities in specific systems, patches also help to keep application security meet the standards set by current industry standards. This helps organizations to ensure that they stay compliant with regulations regarding security and the protection of data.

• Enhanced UX: Software patches also typically include fixes for bugs and glitches that may be affecting software performance. Regularly patching software applications helps to reduce errors, crashes, and other issues stemming from instability. This improves the all-around UX by making software products more reliable, intuitive, and productive.

What is the difference between patching and updating?

The terms patching and updating, while closely related and often used synonymously, actually refer to two separate concepts. 

Patching refers to the application of a targeted fix that has been developed and applied in order to address a specific type of issue. Patches typically consist of small amounts of code and so are lightweight and easier to download and apply without reinstalling. Their focus is maintaining the security, stability, and functionality of software.

Updating can include patches, but the term has a much wider scope that encompasses a variety of possible changes. Updates do not simply maintain an application in its current state but can include feature and interface changes that can fundamentally alter the way an application works. As such, they are typically larger in scale, requiring more time to download and apply. 

What are best practices for patch management?

In order to keep applications and systems as functional and secure as possible, it is advisable to adhere to patch management best practices. Key best practices include the following:

• Routine scans: IT teams should conduct regular scans of software systems so they can detect, download, and apply new patches promptly after release. Automated tools can be used to simplify this process.

• Patch testing: When new patches are made available, IT teams should test them before applying. This will enable them to avoid potential errors and minimize disruptions.

• Patch prioritization: Patches should be ordered so as to give priority to those that apply to essential functions or risks. For instance, patches that fix critical security vulnerabilities should be applied first so as to minimize the potential for exploitation.

• Rollback planning: Even when tested, patches can actually result in errors or conflicts between applications. To minimize disruption, organizations should establish protocols for rolling back systems and applications to previous functional versions.