Security patches fix known vulnerabilities that attackers actively exploit. Yet organisations routinely leave systems unpatched for months or years despite published exploits. This isn’t ignorance or negligence; it’s the result of patch management processes that can’t keep pace with vulnerability disclosure rates whilst managing operational risks. IT teams fear patches will break production systems more than they fear attackers exploiting unpatched vulnerabilities. This risk calculus makes sense based on historical experience where patches caused outages whilst many vulnerabilities never faced actual exploitation.
Why Patches Don’t Get Applied
Testing patches before production deployment consumes time organisations don’t have. Thorough testing takes weeks whilst attackers exploit published vulnerabilities within days. This mismatch between testing requirements and threat timelines creates situations where proper process actually increases risk. Maintenance windows for patching compete with other IT priorities. Deploying new features, performing upgrades, and resolving operational issues all demand limited maintenance time. Security patches lose priority competition against initiatives delivering visible business value.
Expert Commentary
Name: William Fieldhouse
Title: Director of Aardwolf Security Ltd
Comments: “Patch management discussions during assessments reveal organisations that know they’re vulnerable but lack processes to deploy patches quickly. Critical vulnerabilities with published exploits remain unpatched because systems can’t be taken offline for maintenance. This creates situations where attackers have easier paths than legitimate administrators.”
Building Effective Patch Management
Automate patch deployment wherever possible to reduce manual effort. Desktop endpoints and standard servers should receive patches automatically without requiring administrator intervention for every update. This automation enables scale whilst reducing human bottlenecks. Prioritise patches based on actual exploitation risk rather than vendor severity ratings. Not all critical vulnerabilities face active exploitation. Focus immediate attention on vulnerabilities with published exploits targeting your environment.
Regular web application penetration testing identifies which unpatched vulnerabilities actually create exploitable attack paths. Professional testing helps prioritise patching efforts on vulnerabilities that matter most.
Implement compensating controls for systems that can’t be patched quickly. Network segmentation, increased monitoring, and virtual patching through security appliances provide interim protection whilst proper patches deploy.
Working with the best penetration testing company includes validation that patch management processes actually reduce vulnerability to real attacks rather than just maintaining compliance metrics.
Emergency Patching Procedures
Establish expedited processes for responding to actively exploited vulnerabilities. Normal patch testing cycles don’t apply when attackers are scanning for vulnerable systems. Emergency procedures enable rapid deployment whilst managing risk through focused testing and careful monitoring. Patch management requires balancing competing needs for stability, security, and operational continuity. Success comes from risk-based prioritisation, automation, and processes that enable rapid response when threats demand it.
