Software updates often feel like a nagging chore. Those pop-ups to install patches always seem to come at the worst time. But neglecting patches can be disastrous.
Unpatched systems are a top cause of breaches; according to Ponemon Institute, 60% of breach victims in one study were compromised via known vulnerabilities that had a patch available. For busy teams, the solution is clear: automate your patch management as much as possible. Here’s the patch management best practices to keep Windows, macOS, and Linux systems up to date without constant headaches.
Why Patch Management Matters
First, a quick reality check. When news breaks of a big security flaw – whether it’s in Windows, Adobe Reader, or an open-source library – attackers are quick to exploit it. In 2024, attacks on known vulnerabilities jumped 54% over the previous year. And over half of exploits targeted vulnerabilities older than 6 months, meaning patches had long existed but weren’t applied.
The famous Equifax breach occurred because a server missed an Apache Struts update. The lesson: failing to keep up with patch management best practices is like leaving doors unlocked for months. Busy or not, you can’t afford to skip updates.
Automate Windows Updates
Windows 10/11 has robust auto-update capabilities. Ensure Windows Update is set to automatically download and install updates (the default). For a team, use the Windows Update for Business settings (via Group Policy or Intune) to schedule updates at convenient times.
For instance, configure active hours to avoid daytime reboots and enable Auto-restart off-hours. Utilize Patch Tuesday – Microsoft releases patches second Tuesday each month – and perhaps force updates that weekend. If you have a Windows Server or more complex setup, consider a tool like WSUS or Microsoft Endpoint Manager to centrally approve and push updates. Either way, don’t rely on individual users to click “Install” – manage it centrally.
Microsoft research has shown that promptly applying Patch Tuesday updates significantly lowers incidence of malware outbreaks. And remember those out-of-band emergency patches (like for zero-days) – are automated so they deploy immediately. The goal is a Windows environment that updates routinely with minimal manual intervention. If your PCs are frequently powered off at night, schedule a weekly maintenance window where they will wake and patch.
Automate macOS Updates
Macs also offer auto updates. In System Settings > General > Software Update, enable “Automatically keep my Mac up to date”. Additionally, on macOS Ventura and later, you can allow rapid security responses (Apple can push critical fixes without a full OS update). For a fleet of Macs, using an MDM solution like Jamf or Mosyle can automate patch management. These tools can enforce updates or at least remind users until they comply.
As a lighter approach, you could script with Apple’s command-line (softwareupdate tool) to run via launchd to check daily. Ensure App Store apps are set to auto-update as well. Macs need love too – vulnerabilities like the recent OS vulnerability that allowed malware bypass Gatekeeper underscore the need to stay current.
Aim to treat Mac patches as first-class citizens in IT, not “we’ll get around to it” – increasingly, hackers craft Mac-specific attacks, and Apple’s security updates are your shield.
Automate Linux Updates
Many SMBs run a NAS device or a web server on Linux. Linux can auto-update as well. On Debian/Ubuntu systems, enable Unattended Upgrades. It’s a package that will auto-install security updates daily. Configure which updates to apply (at least “security” repository).
On Red Hat/CentOS, you can use dnf-automatic or yum-cron to do similar. If you use Linux for critical servers, consider a landscape or spacewalk (or Red Hat Satellite) to manage them – but that might be overkill for small shops. The key is making sure those open-source packages get patched.
For example, a SonicWall report noted tens of thousands of WordPress sites hacked simply due to not updating plugins. If you host any LAMP stack apps, set up package auto-updates and maybe a tool like WP-Admin plugin updates if relevant.
One caution: Linux kernel or library updates sometimes need reboots. Monitor and schedule reboots monthly to finish applying kernel fixes (tools like needrestart can notify of that). Don’t let a “never reboot” policy undermine your patching.
Include Third-Party Apps
Patch management best practices are not just OS updates. Apps like browsers, PDF readers, Java, etc., need updates too. A strategy: leverage tools that patch common third-party apps. On Windows, something like Microsoft Intune or NinjaOne RMM can push third-party patches. Even without those, instruct users to allow Chrome/Firefox to auto-update (they do by default). You can also use free tools like Ninite or Chocolatey to script install updates for common apps regularly.
On Mac, the App Store auto-update will cover things from the store; others like Chrome have built-in updaters (Chrome auto-updates when relaunched). For any critical software (accounting software, etc.), check if the vendor has an auto-update or notification system and stay on top of it. Third-party apps are a major target – e.g., Adobe Flash and Reader were huge vectors historically, and now things like browser plugins or office suites are. Broaden your patch scope beyond just OS.
Scheduling and Staggering
One pragmatic tip for patch management: don’t patch absolutely everything production-critical in one go if you can help it. Sometimes patches cause issues. For servers, you might patch a test or less critical system first as a canary. Or schedule server patches on a different day from workstations.
Many SMBs pick a regular schedule (e.g., workstations patch every Wednesday night, servers patch Sunday morning). This consistency helps everyone know what to expect and reduces the chance of patch Tuesday surprises disrupting business Wednesday morning.
With automation, also set up reporting: it’s good to get an email or dashboard showing “X devices updated successfully, 2 failed” so you can remediate those 2.
Dealing with Restarts
The bane of patching – restarts required – can be handled gracefully. For user PCs, communicate that weekly (or whatever interval) their machine will reboot overnight so they should leave it on (or at least save work). Use Windows’ “restart outside active hours” enforcement. For Macs, MDMs can send a remote reboot prompt if needed.
Many modern systems allow some patching without reboot, but kernel/OS updates will need it. Users might resist, but emphasize it’s as essential as locking the office doors at night.
They might remember the global NotPetya ransomware – which spread via an unpatched Windows bug – causing billions in damage. That was a patch that required a reboot; those who delayed paid the price. A controlled reboot policy is far preferable to an uncontrolled crash from malware.
Metrics and Accountability
It’s wise to track your patch compliance. If you have 50 devices and 5 consistently miss updates (maybe people turned them off or are remote), have a procedure to catch those. That could be IT reaching out to those users or using your remote management tool to force an update when they are online.
Keep an eye on patch management dashboards (available in tools like Windows Update for Business admin center or RMM software). Set goals like “100% of critical security patches applied within 14 days of release” – many companies adopt that metric.
It matters: CISA’s list of top exploited vulnerabilities basically consists of “unpatched issues from last year or earlier” (per their reports). So if you patch within 2 weeks, you’ll usually beat the attackers who rely on old holes.
Utilize Managed Services if Needed: If all this sounds like a lot for your busy team, consider outsourcing patch management. Many managed IT providers, such as Cinch IT, offer patching as part of their service. They have tools to automate it across clients and expertise to troubleshoot patch failures.
This can take the burden off your staff so you can focus on your core work. Given that 32% of critical vulnerabilities remain unpatched for over 180 days on average in organizations (often due to resource constraints or oversight), having dedicated help ensures you don’t fall behind.
Overview For Patch Management Best Practices
In conclusion, patch management best practices are one of those behind-the-scenes tasks that yields big security dividends. Automating it is the only sensible way for a small IT team or non-IT managers to handle the volume of updates. The threat landscape proves its worth: the 2017 Equifax breach (147 million records) was traced to a missed patch; conversely, many attempted attacks fail entirely on well-patched systems.
By implementing automatic updates on all platforms and reviewing their status periodically, you transform patching from a frantic fire drill into a routine hygiene practice.
As the saying goes, “Cybersecurity is 90% basic hygiene.” patch management best practices are a huge part of that hygiene. Get it off your plate and into patch management automated workflow, and your risk will plummet.
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About the Author
Niko Zivanovich is a Cybersecurity Leader with experience in helping organizations understand and achieve a more complete security posture. He is a co-owner of Cinch IT of Denver and has been working at Pellera Technology Solutions for 6 years, most recently as the Director of Cyber Defense and Threat Intelligence. Niko specializes in CISO advising, netsec ops, incident response, pen testing, and threat intelligence research. He holds multiple certifications through the SANS GIAC organization and is a Board Director for the InfraGard Colorado and Wyoming Chapter.
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Sources
Numerous studies underscore the cost of unpatched systems. A Ponemon survey found 57% of cyberattack victims said applying a patch would have prevented the attack. The U.S. government (CISA) consistently urges prompt patching, noting in 2023 that adversaries are exploiting year-old vulnerabilities because organizations lag in updates.
We’ve also seen real incidents like WannaCry and NotPetya causing massive damage primarily in unpatched environments. On the positive side, companies that automate updates (especially with modern tools) have cut their vulnerability window significantly, thwarting exploits. In sum, automation plus good process is proven to shrink your exposure and is considered a baseline control by cyber insurers (who often ask about your patch cadence).
