What tools and methods do you use to automate and streamline patching processes?

Patching is a critical but often tedious and time-consuming task for IT operations. Keeping your systems up to date with the latest security and performance updates can prevent vulnerabilities, errors, and downtime, but it can also disrupt your normal workflows and user experience. That's why automating and streamlining your patching processes can help you save time, resources, and headaches. In this article, we'll share some tools and methods that you can use to make patching easier, faster, and more reliable.

1 Patch management software

One of the most common and effective ways to automate and streamline your patching processes is to use patch management software. These are tools that scan your network, identify the patches that are needed for your devices and applications, and deploy them automatically or on a schedule. Some examples of patch management software are Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager, IBM BigFix, and SolarWinds Patch Manager. Patch management software can help you reduce manual work, ensure compliance, and monitor patch status and results.

Add your perspective

Emmanuel Folarin

Microsoft Infrastruture Solution Provider | Azure | Microsoft 365 | Implementation | Infrastructure Support | Cyber Security | Project Management | Web -Designing
Report contribution
Patch management software is a valuable tool for automating and simplifying patching processes. It scans your network, identifies necessary patches, and deploys them automatically or according to a set schedule. Popular patch management software options include Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager, IBM BigFix, and SolarWinds Patch Manager. By using patch management software, you can minimize manual efforts, maintain compliance, and effectively monitor patch status and outcomes.

Like

2 Configuration management tools

Another way to automate and streamline your patching processes is to use configuration management tools. These are tools that allow you to define and enforce the desired state of your systems, including the patches that should be applied. Some examples of configuration management tools are Ansible, Puppet, and Chef. Configuration management tools can help you maintain consistency, avoid configuration drift, and apply patches across multiple environments.

Add your perspective

Emmanuel Folarin

Microsoft Infrastruture Solution Provider | Azure | Microsoft 365 | Implementation | Infrastructure Support | Cyber Security | Project Management | Web -Designing
Report contribution
Configuration management tools provide another avenue for automating and improving patching processes. These tools enable you to define and enforce the desired configuration and state of your systems, including the application of patches. Popular configuration management tools include Ansible, Puppet, and Chef. By utilizing configuration management tools, you can ensure consistency, prevent configuration drift, and efficiently apply patches across various environments.

Like

3 Scripting and automation tools

A third way to automate and streamline your patching processes is to use scripting and automation tools. These are tools that allow you to write and run custom scripts or commands that perform patching tasks. Some examples of scripting and automation tools are PowerShell, Bash, and Python. Scripting and automation tools can help you customize your patching workflows, integrate with other tools, and handle complex or specific scenarios.

Add your perspective

4 Testing and validation tools

A fourth way to automate and streamline your patching processes is to use testing and validation tools. These are tools that allow you to verify that your patches are working as expected and that they are not causing any issues or conflicts. Some examples of testing and validation tools are VMware vSphere Update Manager, Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer, and Qualys Vulnerability Management. Testing and validation tools can help you prevent errors, ensure quality, and improve security.

Add your perspective

5 Scheduling and notification tools

A fifth way to automate and streamline your patching processes is to use scheduling and notification tools. These are tools that allow you to plan and communicate your patching activities to your stakeholders, such as users, managers, and vendors. Some examples of scheduling and notification tools are Microsoft Outlook, Slack, and Zendesk. Scheduling and notification tools can help you reduce downtime, manage expectations, and get feedback.

Add your perspective

Yazwand Palanichamy

Experienced and Industrious IT Research and Advisory Analyst 👨💻 M.Sc, PSM™, SSBB, B.Comm. Technology Research 📈 | Strategic C-Suite Advisor for COTS Software Procurement. ICT-Enabled Sustainability Enthusiast 🌱+ 💻
Report contribution
Your patch management activities rely on good direction. Without an effective alerting module/toolset in place, most will find it a cumbersome process to pinpoint the root cause of a specific systematic error (e.g., such as application downtime, or service disruption like an API outage, or some other security vulnerability in the network). Certain Communication Platform as a Service (CPaaS) tools can also provide specific feedback mechanisms (e.g., group discussion channels and forums) in order for IT administrators to communicate the resolved outcome of patch incidents to the proper governance body in order to avoid such similar problematic risk scenarios (i.e., from a patching perspective) from occurring in the future.

Like

6 Best practices and guidelines

A sixth way to automate and streamline your patching processes is to follow some best practices and guidelines. These are principles and recommendations that can help you optimize your patching strategy and execution. For instance, prioritize patches based on their severity, impact, and relevance, document your procedures in a patching policy, test patches in a staging or sandbox environment before deploying them to production, backup your data and systems before applying patches, and review patch reports and logs to address any issues or anomalies.

Add your perspective

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

Add your perspective

What tools and methods do you use to automate and streamline patching processes?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Patch management software

2 Configuration management tools

3 Scripting and automation tools

4 Testing and validation tools

5 Scheduling and notification tools

6 Best practices and guidelines

7 Here’s what else to consider

IT Operations

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

More articles on IT Operations

More relevant reading

What tools and methods do you use to automate and streamline patching processes?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Patch management software

2 Configuration management tools

3 Scripting and automation tools

4 Testing and validation tools

5 Scheduling and notification tools

6 Best practices and guidelines

7 Here’s what else to consider

IT Operations

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

Explore Other Skills