Patch Management
Patch management is the process of identifying, testing, and applying software updates (patches) to fix security vulnerabilities and bugs across your systems. Software vendors regularly release patches to address newly discovered vulnerabilities — applying these patches promptly prevents attackers from exploiting known weaknesses.
Effective patch management requires an inventory of all software in your environment, a process for identifying available patches, a testing procedure to ensure patches don't break critical systems, and a deployment timeline that balances speed against operational risk. For DoD environments, IAVM notices drive specific patching deadlines.
Why It Matters
Timely patch management is a core CMMC requirement. Unpatched systems are one of the most common attack vectors — attackers actively scan for known vulnerabilities. A reliable patch management process is fundamental to your security posture.