Outsourced Patch Management

Threats and vulnerabilities in applications can create security weaknesses that often lead to corrupted data in mission-critical systems or even system unavailability. Outsourced patch management takes care of these threats. It supports your need to maintain secure mission-critical systems while controlling your operational costs. Patch management actually involves acquiring, testing, and installing multiple patches to an administered computer system. There are several inter-related tasks which include maintaining current knowledge of available patches, deciding what patches are appropriate for particular systems, ensuring that patches are installed properly, testing systems after installation, and documenting all associated procedures

Developing any patch management process begins with a firm understanding of the current enterprise. Data must be gathered on the configuration of every server, workstation, and network component in the system. Such data is necessary when evaluating the risk and therefore the necessity of particular patches. This baselining may be performed as part of a larger configuration management and risk assessment effort. Patch management software automate rolling out patches. Although data may be gathered manually, automated tools exist which will do the same work while also keeping the data current. Vulnerability scans can be used to discover services that should be removed or disabled.

Once data is gathered, machines are brought to the same benchmark security risk level. For servers, an assessment must also be made of their criticality to the enterprise. Change control documents and procedures should be developed, particularly if server hardware and operating system maintenance is performed by one group while software application maintenance is performed by another.

There are several benefits of Outsourcing your patch management:

• You can take advantage of immediate patch management expertise 24 x 7 x 365
• Free your staff to focus on more strategic efforts
• Reduce your total cost of ownership
• You can eliminate the need for “fire-drill” patching
• Enjoy the peace of mind of a planned patch process with strict testing and controls

Outsourced patch management provides the support you need to maintain secure mission-critical systems while controlling your operational costs. The Sachs and associates patch management system saves you from the inconvenience of long network downtime. With the most up-to-date technology we provide you with the best patch management solution. Sachs Consulting offers outsource patch management solutions that are cost effective and reliable. For further information on patch management, go to at www.sachsconsulting.com.

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