In a world where new vulnerabilities are discovered daily, patch management is no longer a ‘nice-to-have’, it’s essential. Yet, many organisations are still falling short. According to an Adaptiva report, over half of IT professionals are still relying on a manual patch management process. And 57% say the ever-increasing volume of patches is overwhelming their teams. This breakdown in patch management leaves critical updates unresolved, exposing systems to preventable threats.
In industries like healthcare, finance and legal, where uptime and data integrity are non-negotiable, this is a business risk. The time and resources it takes to keep up with manual patching are no longer sustainable.
In this article, we’ll explore the role of patch management in a modern cybersecurity and risk strategy, outline best practices for effective patch deployment, and make the case for an always-on, automated approach that protects your business while your people stay focused on theirs.
Understanding patch management: The risk of delayed patching
Every delay in the patch management process is a door left ajar for attackers. Unpatched systems are among the most common targets in cyber incidents, and the longer a known vulnerability goes unresolved, the greater the risk. Real-world breaches often stem from exploits that could’ve been prevented with timely updates.
- In 2021, the ProxyLogon vulnerabilities in Microsoft Exchange servers led to widespread exploitation by threat actors, even after patches were released.
- The MOVEit Transfer vulnerability in 2023 resulted in over 2,000 organisations being compromised due to the rapid weaponisation of an unpatched flaw.
- In late 2023, a critical vulnerability known as "Citrix Bleed" in Citrix network hardware was exploited by ransomware gangs after delayed patching. The oversight impacted Boeing, Xfinity, and over 60 credit unions
In each case, the breach wasn't due to a lack of awareness, it was a failure to act fast enough.
Why patch management matters
Patching is often treated as background maintenance, but in reality, it’s one of the most effective security controls you can implement. When done right, it forms the backbone of your defence strategy, keeps you compliant, and protects your business from avoidable risk.
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A primary line of defence
Most cyberattacks begin with known vulnerabilities, many with patches already available. Whether it’s ransomware or a zero-day exploit, attackers don’t need to work hard if your systems are exposed. Timely patching reduces your mean time to exposure (MTTE) and shrinks your attack surface. While attackers automate their reconnaissance, your patching needs to be just as fast.
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Compliance, trust, and Zero Trust
Frameworks like ISO 27001, NIST 800-53, and ASD Essential Eight require timely patching of applications and operating systems. In fact, two of the Essential Eight’s core strategies are “Patch applications” and “Patch operating systems”, highlighting just how central this control is to risk management.
Patch compliance is also critical in Zero Trust architectures, where access decisions hinge on trust signals like device health. If a system isn’t up to date, it shouldn't access sensitive data. An effective patch management solution ensures you can prove coverage and frequency, reinforcing both compliance and client trust.
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Business continuity and operational resilience
Unpatched systems are vulnerable to attacks and more likely to crash, degrade in performance, or break interdependent services. Patching reduces unexpected downtime and supports uptime across modern hybrid environments. NotPetya and WannaCry proved the cost of neglect, both exploited vulnerabilities that were patchable months earlier.
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Patching in a modern IT ecosystem
Today’s infrastructure spans cloud, on-prem, remote, and hybrid environments. It’s no longer just about operating systems; third-party apps, SaaS platforms, APIs integrated into core business processes, and network firmware are equally critical. and network firmware are just as critical. Your patch management approach needs to cover the full stack, from endpoints to cloud workloads.
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A signal of IT maturity
Patching is more than a security control, it’s a strategic enabler. Clients, partners, and boards see it as a sign of operational discipline. In regulated sectors, it also reduces liability. When breaches occur, the question is always: Was the vulnerability known, and was it patched? With a documented, automated process, the answer should be “yes.”
Best practices for effective patch management
Effective patch management is an operational discipline that connects security, compliance and business continuity. And to make it work, you need more than good intentions—you need smart structure. Here are the best practices every business should be following:
- Prioritise based on risk
Not all patches are created equal. Start by focusing your efforts on the vulnerabilities that matter most, those with known exploits, public CVEs (Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures), or exposure to the internet. Align your prioritisation with regulatory mandates, such as those defined by ISO 27001 or the ASD Essential Eight, which emphasise risk-based patching of both applications and operating systems.
The goal isn’t to patch everything instantly. It’s to patch what matters most, first.
- Maintain cadence
Patching needs to be rhythmic, not reactive. While strong compliance typically calls for a monthly patch management schedule, we recommend a weekly cadence to build muscle memory, reduce risk faster, and ensure more consistent coverage across dynamic environments.
For critical vulnerabilities, maintain the ability to break the cycle and act fast. But your foundation should be routine, not firefighting.
- Test before deploying
Patching is essential but it shouldn’t break what’s already working. Use pilot groups for major OS updates and establish integration testing for key SaaS tools and business-critical applications. For organisations with custom systems, this step is vital to avoid unintended downtime.
A failed patch can be just as disruptive as a missed one. Testing helps you move fast and stay safe.
- Include third-party apps and network devices
Patch management is about more than just Windows or macOS. It’s also about the end-user tools your teams rely on, like Chrome, Zoom, Java, and Adobe Reader. These applications often have access to sensitive data and can be prime targets if left unpatched.
Don’t overlook network firmware either. Routers, firewalls and switches often fly under the radar but carry serious risk if left behind. If it runs software, it needs patching.
- Track and report
Without visibility, patching efforts can’t be measured or improved. Use your patching tools to track deployment success, identify missed systems, and report against compliance metrics. This is particularly relevant for meeting maturity models like the ASD Essential Eight, where patch frequency and coverage are key indicators.
- Integrate into broader IT workflows
Patch management shouldn’t operate in isolation. Feed threat data from vulnerability scanners into your prioritisation process. Use your asset management system to ensure you’re patching every device in the environment. Push alerts into your SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) platform to track exceptions or failures in real time.
While these best practices are essential, executing them manually is resource-intensive and prone to gaps. That’s where automation steps in- not just to streamline the process, but to elevate patch management into a proactive, always-on defence.
The value of automation
In today’s high-velocity threat landscape, the speed and scale of vulnerabilities have outpaced what manual processes can handle.
Automated patch management changes the game by acting quickly, consistently, and around the clock.
Less time patching, more time preventing:
Automation reduces the operational load on your IT and security teams, freeing them up to focus on proactive risk management and strategic initiatives. With tools like HCL BigFix, vulnerabilities across operating systems and third-party apps can be identified and resolved within hours without chasing approvals or losing time to manual tasks.
Audit-aligned, regulator-ready:
Security frameworks like the ASD Essential Eight emphasise patching within specific timeframes. Automation helps you hit those deadlines without fail. The same applies to ISO 27001, NIST 800-53, and most industry-specific mandates in sectors like finance, healthcare and legal. Automated patching gives you audit-ready reporting and demonstrable maturity, so when regulators ask, you’re not scrambling to show your homework.
Built-in cost efficiency:
Automation cuts downtime, reduces manual overhead, and frees up your best people for work that actually moves the business forward. Automation delivers a cost benefit on all three fronts by reducing outages, minimising human error, and lowering the resource burden of patching at scale.
Smarter decisions, faster outcomes:
Modern patch management platforms now incorporate AI-driven prioritisation and predictive analytics. They can evaluate threat intelligence feeds, assign risk scores to CVEs, and recommend which patches to deploy first based on business impact and exploitability. That level of precision is what separates a patching process from a security strategy.
Key features to consider for a patch management solution
When evaluating a solution, whether in-house or outsourced, focus on what delivers real impact:
- Security and compliance: Look for built-in alignment with frameworks like ASD Essential 8 and ISO 27001, plus visibility into risk mitigation and audit readiness.
- Operational efficiency: Automation, uptime tracking, and hands-free deployment should be the norm—not the exception.
- Strategic business outcomes: Choose a solution that scales with your environment, integrates with your toolset, and proves its ROI through reduced downtime and faster recovery.
Closing the gaps, before they become incidents
Patch management is a business-critical function. Handled manually, it slows you down. Handled strategically, it strengthens your entire security posture.
Whether you're facing increased regulatory pressure, managing hybrid infrastructure, or simply looking to reduce your exposure, now is the time to get proactive. Automating your patch management doesn’t just keep you secure, it keeps you moving.
At The Missing Link, we offer Patch Management as a Service (PMaaS) to take the pressure off internal teams and deliver automated, always-on patch deployment across operating systems, third-party applications, and network devices. It’s designed for minimal disruption and maximum coverage, so you stay protected without the admin overhead.
Ready to modernise your patch management strategy and reduce your risk?
Let’s talk about how The Missing Link can help you stay compliant, resilient and ahead of the next vulnerability.
Get in touch with our team to see how we can support your business.
