Unpatched systems are an acceptance of risk that could prove fatal to your organization. That is why security updates should be applied to your systems and applications as soon as it is practical. It’s only a matter of time once vulnerabilities are disclosed that attackers will find an opportunity to develop an exploit.
In 2017, when hacker group Shadow Brokers leaked the Eternal Blue exploit, it led to the devastating WannaCry ransomware attack. It was the biggest cyberattack to hit the NHS and affected unpatched Windows machines, costing the National Health Service an eye-watering £92m in damages.
The solution to avoiding data breaches and cyberattacks from unpatched vulnerabilities should start with an efficient patch management program:
It’s important to remember that patching is an infinite process, not a point-in-time activity. It requires proactive management to ensure your systems and applications are working effectively, without the risk of being breached.
An effective patch management plan will help to increase productivity within your company. For example, malware can slow systems down, take systems offline or render them inaccessible, and as a result, can impact productivity in the workplace. Deploying patches on time will ensure business continuity.
Automated patch management reduces the time and effort it would take IT teams to manually search and apply missing patches. By implementing an automated patching solution that identifies, tests and deploys missing patches and security fixes, your organization will have greater peace of mind that the safety of your systems, devices and third-party software is adequately maintained.
Patching can go beyond fixing bugs and security vulnerabilities. By regularly applying feature updates, effective patch management helps to improve product performance and functionality.
Taking a proactive and managed approach to patching creates a more secure environment, ultimately reducing your risk of data breaches and data loss.