As a business owner, you know how important it is to keep your mission-critical systems updated and protected from vulnerabilities like cyberattacks. One easy way to ensure they continue running smoothly is with patch management, which involves identifying errors in their existing code and applying software patches to update, improve, or repair them.
So, how often should your IT team perform patch management to protect your systems from malware, viruses, and online threats? Depending on the size and complexity of your business, patch management should be performed routinely once a month, but itโs best to patch more often if possible.
Every month, your IT team should patch all operating systems, applications, and hardware drives to minimize disruptions and prevent security risks. Additionally, patching should include any third-party applications or services used in your business. These might be hosted software solutions, cloud-based services, or mobile apps used to access business data.โ
3 Types of Patch Management
Within patch management, there are three types of patches your IT team can perform, including:
1. Security Patches: These patches patch vulnerabilities in hardware or software and are designed to protect your business from cyberattacks.
2. Bug Fixes: These patch errors in existing code that can cause the system to malfunction.
3. Feature Patches: These patches provide new features for applications, operating systems, and other software.
4 Benefits of Patch Management
In addition to patching your systems for security, patch management also delivers other benefits for businesses, such as:
1. Safeguarding Data: Regular patch management helps prevent data breaches and protect customer information.
2. Ensuring Compliance: Patching ensures your systems comply with industry regulations and data privacy requirements.
3. Improving Performance: Patching ensures everything runs smoothly and efficiently.
4. Increasing Productivity: By patching more often, businesses can avoid costly downtime and improve productivity.
Choose the Right Patch Management IT Team for Your Business
To stay ahead of cyber threats and maintain a secure network, itโs essential to partner with an IT team skilled in patch management. At PBS, we have the experience and talent to ensure your technology seamlessly integrates with your business. Our team will work proactively to install, configure, and reboot your systems with the necessary updates it needs to become more effective and efficient.
Contact us today to learn more about our patch management services and how we give you the professional, responsive, and flexible support your business needs to succeed.
