Tech Insight: What is patching or patch management?

In this article, we take a brief look at What Is Patching or Patch Management and its importance in maintaining security.

Patches and Patch Management

Patches are the software fixes for known security vulnerabilities in software such as operating systems, third-party applications, cloud platforms, and embedded systems. Patch management is the ongoing process of distributing and applying those important security updates to the software so that business computers and network devices are up to date and are capable of withstanding low-level cyber-attacks.

Why Is Patch Management Important?

In addition to patching to guard against potential security breaches through known vulnerabilities, patch management is also important for:

Compliance and avoiding penalties for non-compliance (e.g. data protection) Maintaining and improving productivity and business continuity and avoiding costly disruption. Keeping patches up to date avoids crashes, outages, and downtime. Also, patches often include new features that can improve productivity. Guarding against additional risks posed by ‘Bring Your Own Device’ (BYOD) e.g. by installing patches across all devices, whatever their physical location. Keeping ahead of market developments.  For example, no new patches could indicate no new version on the horizon, thereby giving a heads-up to looking for alternatives for some software.

Patch Management Systems

Although patch management is an important (basic) security measure for businesses of all sizes to take, businesses with a large number of IT assets could find it particularly challenging without having a system of patch management in place.

A patch management system can involve teams or automated software determining which tools need essential patches, how, and when. Installation can be centralised or installed separately on different devices. A patch system also involves testing code changes and deciding which patches are right for each software program, as well as developing and maintaining schedules for the installation of patches across different systems.

An example of the steps involved in developing a simple patch management system include:

Carrying out an inventory of IT Assets and categorising them by risk and priority. Building in the ability to scan the network and identify any missing patches. Developing suitable testing and evaluating patch stability. Setting up monitoring and evaluating systems for Patch updates. Making sure that backups are created on production environments. Making sure that automation can be built-in where possible, and that checks are in place to ensure the reliability of automation. Setting appropriate schedules and developing a guiding policy. Implementing the system.

Patch Management at Work

Keeping up with patch management is vitally important for an effective system. Common ways that businesses actually operate patch management in the real world include enabling and using Patch Manager features in their Operating Systems and using cloud-based, automated patch management software themselves or through their MSPs.

What Does This Mean For Your Business?

Patching is not simply about maintaining cyber defences against old and new threats but is also vital for maintaining compliance and productivity, and, therefore, business continuity and the avoidance of penalties and market fallout that could threaten the life of the business. Finding automated, reliable patch management systems can help businesses stay up to date, and focus more of their time on their actual businesses processes and marketing. Many businesses now trust the expertise and specialist knowledge of their MSPs to help them put effective patch management systems in place and to manage them on their behalf.

J700 Groups’ experienced and professional team are here to support and manage your IT Systems and Telecoms, so you don’t have to worry, letting you concentrate on your business, safe in the knowledge that your systems will work and your data is fully secure and protected, all day every day.

Our Satisfaction comes from seeing your business grow with our help.  Contact us today to find out what we can do for your business.

Or book a FREE No Obligations Consultation with one of our experts.

Enjoyed this? Read more from J700 Group Limited

Latest news

1

Three weekly domestic waste collection considered in plans Waste recycling Blackpool

Three weekly domestic waste collection considered in plans

01 Jul 2025

2

Graham Engineering confirms acquisition to a2e Industries Graham Engineering

Graham Engineering confirms acquisition to a2e Industries

01 Jul 2025

3

Training 2000 celebrate 'Good' rating by Ofsted Training 2000

Training 2000 celebrate 'Good' rating by Ofsted

01 Jul 2025

4

Fox Group acquires J Fisher and Sons Colin Fisher, Paul Fox CEO and Gary Fisher.

Fox Group acquires J Fisher and Sons

01 Jul 2025

5

Beever and Struthers strengthen leadership team with new partners Dean Curtis and Joe Diston

Beever and Struthers strengthen leadership team with new partners

01 Jul 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
LBV123 July/August Launch Event
Lancashire Business View magazine launch
Networking
16 Jul 2025

LBV123 July/August Launch Event

Burnley

08:30 - 10:30

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Business Bike Club – July
Chamber Logo1.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
01 Jul 2025 - 01 Jul 2025

Business Bike Club – July

Various, Lancaster, LA

08:00 - 09:30

Chamber Breakfast Networking – July
Chamber Logo1.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
02 Jul 2025 - 02 Jul 2025

Chamber Breakfast Networking – July

St John's Hospice, Slyne Road, Lancaster, LA2 6ST

08:00 - 10:00

The Marketing Metrics that Matter – July 4
LBV Hub Seminars
04 Jul 2025 - 04 Jul 2025

The Marketing Metrics that Matter – July 4

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

08:30 - 11:00

Tri-Site Survey Equipment Showcase
unnamed (2).jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
09 Jul 2025 - 09 Jul 2025

Tri-Site Survey Equipment Showcase

Crow Wood Hotel, Burnley, BB12 0RT

09:30 - 16:00

Chamber Summer BBQ
LBV Hub Social
17 Jul 2025 - 17 Jul 2025

Chamber Summer BBQ

The Borough, Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1PP

17:30 - 20:00

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?
July Longer Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
29 Jul 2025 - 29 Jul 2025

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July
Longer July Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
31 Jul 2025 - 31 Jul 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Cumbria Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880461633-4862066883-1-original.20241022-110415.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
19 Sep 2025 - 19 Sep 2025

Cumbria Business Expo 2025

Carlisle Racecourse, Carlisle, CA2 4TS

09:00 - 15:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV122 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin