What resolutions have you made for this New Year? To get more organized? Simplify and automate tasks? Or maybe get rid of things that have been cluttering up your office space for years?
Ringing in the New Year always brings on a sense of starting over. Of doing things better this time around.
Maybe it’s time to apply that same concept to your security operations. How long have you had reminders on your phone that updates are available for your operating system and apps? When was the last time you said “yes” to automatically updating patches to the systems you use most?
Can’t remember?
That’s leaving you in a vulnerable state.
January 2020 Patch Tuesday provided the last official update for Windows 7, along with fixing 50 security vulnerabilities, 8 of them rated as critical.
This means if you are still using Windows 7, from here on out, you will be at high risk of compromise, increasing over time as vulnerabilities pile up.
Want to change that around this year? Create an effective patch management system that’s easy for everyone on your staff.
Start by automating it. Patch management is time consuming. If you automate the process, deploying patches will be as easy as a single mouse click on a specified date. The key is finding a system that can help you through the process quickly every single month.
Manage the process. Even when you have an automated system, you still have to identify your approach for keeping everything up to date. Define what needs updating by department, location, or device. Then log the details, so you’ll always know where you stand, and be able to pass it along to whoever needs the information.
Test. Have you ever had an update go awry? Just because patches are released doesn’t mean you won’t have problems with them when they’re deployed. Test the patch first in a small test area to find out the implications. How does it work with the programs you use every day? Fix all bugs with how it integrates with your systems before releasing it company wide.
Be proactive. A lot of companies wait to be notified about patches and security risks. Instead of waiting, take a proactive approach instead. Most systems have a way to analyze the environment to learn about fixes even before they are released as patches to the general public. Sometimes updating in small steps will save you bigger headaches than when it’s done all at once.
For IT Strategy, Cloud Conversion, or Help Desk Services reach out to us at Silver Linings Technology 360-450-4759.
