Patch Management Software

What is Patch Management Software?

Patch management software facilitates the deployment of updates, or 'patches' to an application, in order to fix security vulnerabilities or release improved features. As regular updates and patches can cause system downtime, patch management software provides a centralized console, empowering administrators to oversee and control the patch management process.

Automating and scheduling patches is a key feature of top patch management solutions; organizations can schedule patch deployment during non-business hours, minimizing disruptions to regular operations. Additionally, patch automation ensures timely updates to address vulnerabilities, reducing the exposure window to potential exploits.

Benefits of Patch Management Software

  • Enhanced Security: Patch management software contributes significantly to enhanced security by promptly addressing known vulnerabilities. By automating the deployment of security patches, organizations can mitigate the risk of security breaches, safeguard sensitive data, and maintain a robust cybersecurity posture.
  • Time and Resource Efficiency: The automation of patch deployment through patch management software increases efficiency in terms of time and resources. This automation reduces the manual effort required for updates, allowing IT teams to redirect their focus toward strategic initiatives rather than routine maintenance tasks.
  • Minimized Downtime: Scheduled and controlled patching processes minimize disruptions to business operations, ensuring systems remain operational and responsive during the patch deployment phase. This contributes to a seamless user experience and reduces the potential negative impact on productivity.
  • Regulatory Compliance: Patch management software plays a crucial role in meeting industry-specific compliance standards. By ensuring that software is up-to-date and secure, organizations can facilitate adherence to data protection regulations and other compliance requirements, avoiding potential legal and financial consequences.
  • Proactive Risk Management: Integration with vulnerability management tools enables organizations to take a proactive stance against potential threats. By identifying and addressing vulnerabilities before they can be exploited, patch management software adds a layer of defense to the organization's overall risk management strategy. 

To learn more about patch management software, please visit our patch management software FAQs.

Looking for more tools to monitor, manage and secure your IT infrastructure? Explore our other IT-related software categories here:

Top 10 Patch Management Software

Syxsense / NinjaOne / Pulseway / Orca Security / N-central / ESET / VSA / Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud / WatchGuard / Qualys TruRisk

WH Score
9.4
Syxsense
14reviews
Starting Price:N/A
Syxsense is a cloud-based endpoint security company. Syxsense has been famous for its outstanding services promising top-notch endpoint security. Syxsense realizes the importance of endpoint security for a company's survival and delivers accordingly to the best of its potential.
WH Score
9.3
NinjaOne
35reviews
Starting Price:N/A
NinjaOne automates the hardest parts of IT, empowering more than 17,000 IT teams with visibility, security, and control over all endpoints. The NinjaOne platform increases productivity while reducing risk and IT costs. Organizations use NinjaOne, including its wide range of IT and security integrati...
WH Score
9.0
Pulseway
38reviews
Starting Price:$22 per device / per month
Pulseway is a comprehensive cloud-based IT management and monitoring platform that simplifies IT infrastructure control. With its user-friendly interface, businesses and IT professionals can effortlessly manage servers, workstations, and networks from a centralized location. Pulseway's key capabilit...
WH Score
8.6
Orca Security
5reviews
Starting Price:N/A
Orca is a cloud security company ensuring utmost security for its clientele. Orca was founded by Avi Shua and is tipped to become the industry-leading cloud security company. It amassed a $1.8 billion valuation which portrays the ability of the company to satisfy its clients. 
WH Score
8.5
N-central
12reviews
Starting Price:N/A
N-able provides a variety of different security solutions to help you fully protect your business, from server backups, remote IT management, and all-inclusive systems for managing and protecting your business devices and data.
WH Score
8.4
ESET
22reviews
Starting Price:N/A
ESET is a leading provider of cybersecurity solutions for both consumers and businesses. Their software offers advanced protection against various threats, including viruses, malware, and ransomware. Here, we'll take a closer look at some of the critical features of ESET software and its pricing and...
WH Score
8.4
VSA
82reviews
Starting Price:N/A
VSA, also known as Virtual System Administrator, is a robust remote monitoring and management (RMM) software developed by Kaseya. Designed to empower IT professionals and managed service providers (MSPs), VSA offers a wide range of features to streamline IT operations, enhance productivity, and impr...
WH Score
8.1
Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud

Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud

2reviews
Starting Price:N/A
Acronis is data protection software vendor that specializes in cybersecurity and cloud security, and solves accessibility, privacy and security issues. It separated from a Singaporean company called Parallels and now its products enabling secure backup, enterprise file sync and disaster recovery are...
WH Score
7.9
ControlUp
0reviews
Starting Price:N/A
ControlUp is a leading company that specializes in digital employee experience management tools designed to enhance the monitoring and troubleshooting of virtual, physical, and secure desktop environments. With a focus on real-time monitoring, endpoint security, and seamless integration with technol...
WH Score
7.9
GFI LanGuard
0reviews
Starting Price:N/A
GFI LanGuard is a comprehensive patch management and network auditing software designed to assist businesses in maintaining endpoint protection, scanning for vulnerabilities, deploying patches centrally, and generating compliance reports. With its user-friendly interface and powerful features, GFI L...

Learn more about Patch Management Software

What Is Patch Management?

Patch management is the process of planning, implementing, and overseeing the deployment of software updates, or "patches," to address vulnerabilities and improve the security of computer systems, applications, and networks. Software vendors release these patches to fix known issues, enhance functionalities, and, most importantly, address security vulnerabilities that malicious actors could exploit. 

How Do Patch Management Solutions Remediate Vulnerabilities?

Patch management solutions remediate vulnerabilities by automating and streamlining the deployment of software patches across an organization's network. When a software vendor releases a patch to fix a vulnerability, the patch management solution identifies the affected systems and promptly applies the relevant patches. 

This process involves scheduling updates during non-business hours to minimize disruptions, centralizing patch management for efficient oversight, and generating reports to track compliance and potential risks. By automating the patch deployment process, these solutions help organizations address vulnerabilities rapidly, reducing the window of exposure to potential cyber threats. 

How Do I Build a Suitable Patch Management Process for My Business Applications?

Building a suitable patch management process for business applications involves several key steps:

  • Identify Specific Security Goals: Determine the security goals for your organization and the criticality of each business application.
  • Assess Existing Infrastructure: Evaluate your current software and systems to understand vulnerabilities and weaknesses that need to be addressed.
  • Industry-Specific Requirements: Consider industry-specific compliance standards that mandate timely updates, ensuring your patch management process aligns with regulatory requirements.
  • Define Customizable Policies: Tailor patch management policies to align with your organization's needs, addressing industry-specific threats and compliance requirements.
  • Integration with Existing Systems: Ensure seamless integration with existing systems, including compatibility with current IT infrastructure and user-friendly implementation.
  • Scalability for Growth: Choose a solution that can scale with your organization's growth, adapting to evolving security needs.
  • Ongoing Support and Updates: Select a patch management solution with robust ongoing support mechanisms, a commitment to addressing emerging threats, and regular software updates and patch management.

By following these steps, organizations can establish a comprehensive and effective patch management process tailored to their unique business applications and security requirements. 

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