Security Patch Management

Safeguard the system with optimized security patch management

Quickly check for critical or security updates

Quickly check for critical or security updates

SolarWinds® Patch Manager is designed to work with Microsoft Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) and System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) to monitor for newly released software updates, including updates for third-party applications. The tool is designed to provide pre-built and pre-tested third-party application packages ready to deploy, so you no longer need to research, script, package, and test patches for third-party applications.

When an update becomes available, Patch Manager can notify you through email and on the console window. To simplify the patch process, the updates are categorized as security, critical, definition, third-party, and service pack updates. Just select, approve, and schedule or deploy the update to the computer group or Active Directory organizational unit (OU).

Ensure no failed patches in the security patch management process

Ensure no failed patches in the security patch management process

SolarWinds Patch Manager comes with Package Boot™ technology, which is designed to ensure you don’t have any failed patches. When installing patches, sometimes the patches aren’t deployed correctly, resulting in unsuccessful patching that doesn’t work to block the vulnerability in the software. Package Boot can help you make sure even the most complicated patches are deployed successfully through the creation of custom before and after package deployment scenarios.

Gain tighter control over patch deployment

Gain tighter control over patch deployment

One of the reasons people don’t want to install patches and other updates to their systems is because they don’t want to interrupt their work. 

With Patch Manager, users have control over when patches are deployed, this means you can schedule patches to automatically install during less busy times or non-work hours. You can also more easily see the status of all your patches from the intuitive dashboard in SolarWinds Patch Manager.

Run readily available reports to assess current patch status and pass compliance audits

Run readily available reports to assess current patch status and pass compliance audits

To demonstrate compliance, it’s critical that you can easily create reports on your current patching status. With SolarWinds Patch Manager, it’s easy to filter data according to built-in templates or custom criteria, then run detailed, informative reports to help you monitor the patching process. Plus, you can schedule reports to automatically run and send to help ensure you’re fulfilling your part of the compliance process.
Get More on Security Patch Management
Do you find yourself asking…
  • What is security patch management?
  • Why is security patching important?
  • Security Patch Management Best Practices
  • How does security patch management work in SolarWinds Patch Manager?
  • Related Features and Tools

  • What is security patch management?

    Security patch management is the ongoing process of applying updates that help resolve code vulnerabilities or errors for applications across your system.

    A security patch is essentially a method of updating systems, applications, or software by inserting code to fill in, or “patch,” the vulnerability. This helps secure the system against an attack. The problem with patches is that new vulnerabilities are constantly being discovered, which means that new patches are constantly being released to try to keep your systems secure.

    In general, security patch management involves:

    • Understanding which software, systems, or applications currently pose a security risk because of missing updates or patches.
    • Looking for and maintaining an updated knowledge of the available patches.
    • Deciding which patches are right for which systems.
    • Testing patches on the target platforms to ensure they will perform correctly.
    • Installing the correct patches and checking all systems to ensure no updates are missing or stalled out.
    • Testing the updated systems after the patches are installed to make sure they are working correctly.

  • Why is security patching important?

    Hackers often target software vulnerabilities knowing that attacking a vulnerability is one of the best ways to get into a system. Much like patches consist of code that “fills in” the software, hackers can write code directly aimed at exploiting the vulnerability, which they then package as malware. This malware can allow the hacker to steal data, corrupt files, encrypt files, and even gain access to the broader business network. Patches in network security are important because without patches, your business may be left open to attacks and data theft.

  • Security Patch Management Best Practices

    There are a number of best practices and tips to help you get the most out of your security patch management:

    • Test and monitor your patches. Sometimes patches can cause problems in your system unrelated to the problem they’re trying to fix. Ideally, you should test patches in a controlled or sandbox environment before installing them across your network. If testing isn’t possible (or even if it is), it’s helpful to monitor the patch after installation to make sure it doesn’t cause any issues.
    • Look at and inventory Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) server status information. When creating a report to help you manage the deployment of updates across your network, having an updated inventory can help ensure you have all the latest information on patch and update availability.
    • Use a licensed version of SQL Server. A licensed version can support multiple console users and inventory multiple WSUS users.
    • Automate patch management. Using patch management software can help save you both time and effort in your patching efforts. Security patch management software can also help you ensure that the most important patches are installed first, so you can reduce your vulnerability to hackers as much as possible.

  • How does security patch management work in SolarWinds Patch Manager?

    SolarWinds Patch Manager is designed to automate the security patch management process by helping you proactively address known software vulnerabilities. Patch Manager can give you more control over the security patching process by automating approval processes, shutdowns, and reboots, defining the correct pre- and post-installation environment, and creating comprehensive reports.

    Patch Manager can help you monitor patches to more easily determine their status and demonstrate patch compliance to auditors and internal stakeholders. Patch Manager comes with an intuitive web console letting you see the latest available patches, the general health of your environment, and the top ten missing patches on your network, so you can more easily determine which patches to prioritize. 

  • Related Features and Tools

What is security patch management?

Security patch management is the ongoing process of applying updates that help resolve code vulnerabilities or errors for applications across your system.

A security patch is essentially a method of updating systems, applications, or software by inserting code to fill in, or “patch,” the vulnerability. This helps secure the system against an attack. The problem with patches is that new vulnerabilities are constantly being discovered, which means that new patches are constantly being released to try to keep your systems secure.

In general, security patch management involves:

  • Understanding which software, systems, or applications currently pose a security risk because of missing updates or patches.
  • Looking for and maintaining an updated knowledge of the available patches.
  • Deciding which patches are right for which systems.
  • Testing patches on the target platforms to ensure they will perform correctly.
  • Installing the correct patches and checking all systems to ensure no updates are missing or stalled out.
  • Testing the updated systems after the patches are installed to make sure they are working correctly.

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Why is security patching important?

Hackers often target software vulnerabilities knowing that attacking a vulnerability is one of the best ways to get into a system. Much like patches consist of code that “fills in” the software, hackers can write code directly aimed at exploiting the vulnerability, which they then package as malware. This malware can allow the hacker to steal data, corrupt files, encrypt files, and even gain access to the broader business network. Patches in network security are important because without patches, your business may be left open to attacks and data theft.

Close
Security Patch Management Best Practices

There are a number of best practices and tips to help you get the most out of your security patch management:

  • Test and monitor your patches. Sometimes patches can cause problems in your system unrelated to the problem they’re trying to fix. Ideally, you should test patches in a controlled or sandbox environment before installing them across your network. If testing isn’t possible (or even if it is), it’s helpful to monitor the patch after installation to make sure it doesn’t cause any issues.
  • Look at and inventory Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) server status information. When creating a report to help you manage the deployment of updates across your network, having an updated inventory can help ensure you have all the latest information on patch and update availability.
  • Use a licensed version of SQL Server. A licensed version can support multiple console users and inventory multiple WSUS users.
  • Automate patch management. Using patch management software can help save you both time and effort in your patching efforts. Security patch management software can also help you ensure that the most important patches are installed first, so you can reduce your vulnerability to hackers as much as possible.

Close
How does security patch management work in SolarWinds Patch Manager?

SolarWinds Patch Manager is designed to automate the security patch management process by helping you proactively address known software vulnerabilities. Patch Manager can give you more control over the security patching process by automating approval processes, shutdowns, and reboots, defining the correct pre- and post-installation environment, and creating comprehensive reports.

Patch Manager can help you monitor patches to more easily determine their status and demonstrate patch compliance to auditors and internal stakeholders. Patch Manager comes with an intuitive web console letting you see the latest available patches, the general health of your environment, and the top ten missing patches on your network, so you can more easily determine which patches to prioritize. 

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Related Features and Tools

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Automate security patch management to keep your network safe

Patch Manager

  • Extend the functionality of WSUS and SCCM for a more effective security patch management process.

  • Easily install and monitor patches in network security.

  • Create auditor-ready compliance reports with automated security patch management software.

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