In September 2024, Microsoft rolled out 70 patches on “Patch Tuesday” for its suite of products. One of these patches remedied an alarming bug that caused an older Windows OS to reverse prior updates and security patches. For MSPs, Windows patch management requires swift action for critical patches, but the frequency and volume of patches can be tough to keep up with.
Microsoft offers tools for Windows patch management, but they don’t always account for the diversity and complexity of client IT environments. Failed patches or problematic installs can expose clients to risk, so MSPs need a way to reliably test, install, and monitor patches.
This post covers best practices for implementing an effective patch management strategy, features that help MSPs work more efficiently, and software that can streamline the process.
Why Windows patch management is essential
Security
The primary reason for patch management is to ensure security. Hackers are constantly finding new vulnerabilities in software, and once a vulnerability is publicized, it becomes a target for attacks. Patches are released to fix these vulnerabilities and prevent unauthorized access. Failure to apply these patches promptly can leave systems exposed to cyber threats.
Stability and performance
Patches not only address security vulnerabilities, but also improve system stability and performance. They can fix bugs that cause systems to crash or applications to freeze, and they often include performance enhancements that make systems run more efficiently.
Compliance
Regulatory compliance is another critical reason for implementing patch management. Many industries are governed by strict regulations that require organizations to maintain up-to-date software. Non-compliance can result in heavy fines and damage to reputation. Regularly applying patches helps ensure that systems meet compliance standards.
Options for managing Windows patches
These are the three options for managing Windows patch management:
Microsoft Windows Server Update Services (WSUS)
WSUS is a free Microsoft tool that automatically downloads and applies patches as they are available. It doesn’t have any monitoring capabilities, and some MSPs have reported update failures that required lengthy investigation to understand and resolve.
Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM)
Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager, previously known as SCCM, is a more comprehensive tool than WSUS. It includes monitoring features, and if you have Microsoft Intune, you can use this tool to manage iOS patches. The primary use case is large organizations with Windows devices.
Third-party platforms
There are many third-party Windows patch management tools that offer greater flexibility for patch management: Action1, NinjaOne, SolarWinds, and Syncro, for example. Syncro includes a full suite of features and automation for managing MSP service delivery and operations, as well as patch management tools for Windows, iOS, and Linux.
In August 2024, Syncro rolled out another useful feature for MSPs who manage Windows systems: an add-on that lets you customize Microsoft Defender for all Windows endpoints.
Best practices for effective Windows patch management
Assess inventory
Before you can manage patches, you need to know what you have. Maintain an up-to-date inventory of all hardware and software in your client environments. This inventory should include details about the operating systems, applications, versions, and configurations.
If you have remote monitoring and management software, you can scan client environments to detect all devices and systems.
Prioritize patches
Not all patches are equally important. Develop a system to prioritize patches based on the criticality of the vulnerability they address and the role of the affected system. Critical and high-risk patches should be applied as soon as possible, while lower-priority patches can be scheduled during regular maintenance windows.
Test patches
Before deploying patches to your entire environment, test them in a staging environment to ensure they don’t cause any unforeseen issues. This testing phase helps to prevent disruptions in business operations due to compatibility issues or other problems with a patch.
Schedule regular automated patch cycles
Set up a regular patch cycle to ensure that patches are applied consistently. Monthly or bi-monthly cycles are common practices. You can use patch management software to customize rules for patches, like delaying the install of non-essential patches that require a hard reboot.
Monitor patch status
After deploying patches, monitor the systems to ensure that the patches have been applied correctly and are functioning. Create reports that detail the patch status, including which patches have been deployed, which are pending, and any that failed to apply. Continuous monitoring allows for quick identification and rollback of any problematic patches.
Keep up with patch releases
Stay informed about new patch releases from software vendors. Subscribe to security bulletins, mailing lists, or vendor notifications to get timely information about new updates. Set up automatic scanning to detect patches as they’re released.
A better way to manage patch management
Windows patch management is essential for maintaining the security, stability, and compliance of IT systems. But it can be a cumbersome process, and manual patch management just won’t work for clients with hundreds of Windows endpoints.
Syncro offers a better way to manage patches. You can apply multiple patching scheduling to machines, customize and automate different patch management workflows, create flexible schedules for different patching profiles, and more.
Find out why MSPs have made the switch to Syncro. Then sign up for a demo to see what Syncro can do for you.
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