What is patch management software?

Patch management software is designed to make the patch management process more efficient and accurate. A comprehensive software can automate patch management to detect and deploy critical patches, helping ensure systems are protected against vulnerabilities. 

The patch management process requires constant attention and a detailed understanding of your servers, workstations, and applications. For instance, patching can be critical for server security, since faulty code in your software can expose servers to functional errors and security breaches. To maintain server efficiency and help minimize cyberattacks, administrators must regularly apply patches to address outdated or missing code. 

For businesses with dozens or even thousands of workstations, servers, and other devices, manually patching and tracking patches can be difficult. Automated patch management software can help you ensure devices and systems are as up to date as possible with the ability to easily schedule patches for automatic implementation.

Why is patch management software important?

The benefits of patch management software can be reduced to helping support two crucial goals: security and efficiency. Effective patch management software can help prevent security breaches by providing automation of patch management for Microsoft and third-party software.

When Microsoft products require patches, administrators must implement patch solutions from the Windows Update Agent. Security patches are released for Microsoft as soon as vulnerabilities are discovered and must be implemented as quickly as possible to ensure security.

However, Windows server and workstation vulnerabilities aren’t limited to Microsoft applications. Third-party applications can also require patches. Failing to update third-party security patches is a common cause of software mismanagement—any patch you neglect to install, even in virtual machines, can pose a threat to security. Patching software should also provide third-party patch management.

Some may assume they can rely on the basic patch management features included in their Windows server. However, basic, preconfigured Windows patch programs like Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) and Systems Center Configuration Manager (SCCM)  can’t monitor third-party software and don’t provide automated management scheduling or security compliance reports. Using patch management software can allow you to take complete control over your patch management process.

Patch management software requirements

Patch management software should offer a range of tools and features to help streamline the patching process. A high-quality patch management tool is built to expand existing Microsoft and third-party patch management capabilities to provide a more comprehensive view of potential system vulnerabilities. 

The most effective patch software should include the following features:

WSUS management. Windows Server Update Services is a useful point of entry for your patch management process, automation features in patch management software can expand upon your WSUS functionality to provide a more comprehensive patch management process. Patch management software builds on WSUS to schedule patch implementation and send automated alerts when patches are available. You can also use it to report on patch statuses and help improve patch capabilities in Windows Update Agent. 

Third-party patching with SCCM. Systems Center Configuration Manager is a feature of Microsoft systems that can also improve patch management. SCCM acts as a sister program to WSUS. While WSUS implements updates to your Windows server, SCCM uses network management and configuration tools to manage network updates packages for Windows software. Since SCCM allows for non-Windows integration, patch management software can help expand SCCM to schedule alerts for preconfigured third-party patches. Like WSUS, SCCM is not replaced by patch management software—rather, patch management software builds upon SCCM to patch virtual machines, non-Windows applications, and other operating systems. 

Patch compliance reporting. As with any IT management process involving compliance, it may be necessary to retain a paper trail of your management history by generating security reports. A major benefit of IT patch management software is its ability to automate the creation of security compliance reports at scheduled intervals, with customizable report templates.

Wake on LAN (WoL). Your patch management schedule won’t be effective if devices are asleep or shut down. Wake on LAN is a standard tool for remote network management that can reactivate LANs when your patch management is scheduled. By deploying a remote patch management software compatible with Wake on LAN software, WoL can help ensure workstations are turned on, allowing you to implement updates. After patches are installed, WoL can also allow you to remotely turn workstations off.

How patch management software works?

Software patching is a solution to addressing faulty or updated code in your system. Bad or old code can limit productivity—at worst, it can make devices vulnerable to security threats. When an error or vulnerability is spotted in the system, new patches may be released. With patch management software, users can more easily implement and track the success of the patch update with follow-up monitoring. 

Manual patch management can be a time-intensive process, especially when dealing with large environments. Expansive IT infrastructures can benefit from patch management software to help automate the patching process to ensure efficiency and security. With automated patch management software, vulnerabilities can be resolved as soon as patches are successfully deployed.

Patch management software requires users to set the terms of the patch management schedule, configure compliance reports, and stay up to date on software functionality metrics. The result of patch management software is automated patch compliance reports and streamlined software vulnerability management—all from a single dashboard.     

How to choose a patch management software?

Once you’ve decided to implement patch management software, your next question should be: what type of patch management software should I choose?

Here are common types of patch management software to consider:

Open-source. Open-source software is available for free to the public, which can make it appealing to small businesses. For businesses with a small network, open-source patch management software is designed to perform basic tracking and package installation for a single operating system. However, open-source patching software often requires more user input, configuration, and maintenance than other patch management solutions built to provide value out-of-the-box. 

WSUS API-based. Microsoft Windows patch management software acts to extend the Windows WSUS program. An API-based management software can help automate update detection and implementation. Since WSUS is an update manager for Windows systems, you won’t be able to manage third-party software with WSUS API-based patch management software alone. WSUS API-based managers are usually open-source. 

Third-party integrations. Comprehensive patching software—usually closed-source—can offer third-party integrations for patch management across your environment. This software can extend your Microsoft patch management to include patches for Adobe, Java, Firefox, and more. Applications, virtual machines, and non-workstation units of your system can also be accommodated by a patch management software with third-party integrations.

In your search for patch management software, make sure to also consider the following before deciding which option to deploy:

• Is your company’s infrastructure the right size and fit for the tool? Make sure you aren’t using a small-scale solution for a large-scale patch monitoring job.
• Does your network include virtual environments and non-Microsoft scripts? If so, make sure you know whether your patching software can accommodate third-party applications. 
• Does the tool use an appropriate interface? Decide whether you prefer an interactive dashboard to a non-stylized, code-based interface.
• Do you want automated alerts? Look for patch management software designed to send alerts when new patches are available, so you can spend more time on other important aspects of system upkeep to maintain security compliance and software functionality.

What is SolarWinds Patch Manager?

SolarWinds^® Patch Manager is an automated patch management software with third-party integrations. It’s designed for flexibility and scalability, with the potential to manage patch implementation in large networks and virtual environments. With pre-built and pre-tested packages, Patch Manager can provide a tested and reliable solution for automated patch management. 

Patch Manager uses Microsoft WSUS as a building block for more sophisticated automation of patch management operations. Automated alerts and patch reports are built to be generated on a customized schedule. To ensure security in your software scans, Patch Manager can also deploy Wake on LAN to reactivate sleeping devices when a scan is scheduled and to turn them back off once the scan is complete. 

Patch Manager is designed to expand upon the traditional functions of WSUS and SCCM to provide robust, scalable, and automated patch management. SolarWinds Patch Manager uses integrations with SCCM to monitor third-party software. Patches for virtual machines, applications, and software like Adobe and Java can also easily be monitored alongside Windows-based software patches traditionally managed by SCCM.

Patch Manager aims to help you mitigate software vulnerabilities with real-time security monitoring and detailed security compliance reports.

What makes Patch Manager different?

Microsoft and third-party management. Patch Manager is a flexible tool built to broadly expand the functions of Microsoft WSUS and SCCM. What makes Patch Manager unique among other patch management solutions is its ability to use WSUS and SCCM integration to provide updates to most third-party software. With pre-tested patch updates, you can also feel confident update packages are safe and trustworthy. 

Patch status dashboard. Patch Manager offers a user-friendly interface with color-coded graphics, interactive layout, and critical information on patch updates. The dashboard is designed to show the latest vulnerability metrics. You can also easily view which patches have already been applied and which areas are in most urgent need of new packages. 

Orion^® Platform integration. The native Orion Platform included with Patch Manager allows for integration with your other SolarWinds products. The Orion Platform can help provide centralized monitoring and management of your entire IT stack, supporting your ability to correlate data across even the most complex and geographically dispersed IT environments.

Automated reporting. Patch Manager aims to maximize security and to minimize software vulnerabilities. With customizable reporting templates, you can schedule automated summary reports for updates on your patching status, whether any packages were unable to be installed, and why. Custom reports can also allow you to keep track of the patch history for your entire inventory.