Server patching

What is server patching?

The stability and security of IT infrastructures are critical to the uninterrupted flow of modern life. Businesses large and small lean heavily on their network systems; protecting those systems against malicious threats is a fundamental IT management practice.

Imagine leaving your house doors unlocked in a bad neighborhood. Similarly, unpatched servers are an open invitation to cyber attacks. Understanding server patching and its role in network cybersecurity is the linchpin in safeguarding your organization’s digital assets. 

Server patching: a definition

Server patching refers to the process by which software updates, known as ‘patches’, are applied to a server to fix vulnerabilities and errors found in the existing software. These patches target various components of a server, including its operating system and installed applications, ensuring they are upgraded to combat any known bugs or security breaches.

When discussing what server patching is, the focus is on the preventive maintenance of digital software code. The main goal of server patching is to protect data from malicious exploits coming through outdated software vulnerabilities while maintaining the efficiency of IT performance.

Patching is much more than occasional IT housekeeping. It is a critical component of a cybersecurity strategy, securing enterprise networks by addressing potentially disastrous flaws before they can be exploited by nefarious players waiting for a chance to strike.

Importance of server patching

Server patching plays a pivotal role in maintaining the health and security of an organization’s IT infrastructure. Fundamentally, it involves the process of updating servers with new patches to fix vulnerabilities, enhance functionality, and improve overall performance. Understanding the importance of server patching isn’t just about recognizing what it does, but also the potential risks of neglecting this critical task. Here are the key benefits of server patching for an organization’s IT ecosystem:

Enhanced security 

Servers are prime targets for cyber threats, and without up-to-date security patches, they become vulnerable to malware, ransomware, and other malicious attacks that can have devastating results on business operations. By applying patches as soon as they’re available, the risks are significantly reduced.

Regulatory compliance

Consistency in server patching ensures compliance with various regulatory standards, such as PCI-DSS for payment processing environments or HIPAA for healthcare information privacy. This not only avoids legal repercussions but also builds trust with customers who are increasingly concerned about data protection.

Increased system stability

Patch updates often include improvements that help software run more smoothly. Neglecting server patching can lead to a series of cascading failures within your network. For instance, unpatched systems can be exploited to gain access to other interconnected devices across the network. Consistent server patching is essential to optimize the stability of the network system.

Improved performance

Server patching ensures that software is up to date with the latest features and enhancements. Over time, these enhancements can boost efficiency and speed of servers, and improve system performance while defending against cyber threats at the same time.

How does server patching work?

Server patching may sound like a highly technical process in the domain of IT professionals alone. However, it’s a fundamental security practice that anyone can understand with some basic IT knowledge. Essentially, server patching involves the installation of software updates, often provided by the software vendor, to address vulnerabilities or inefficiencies found in previous versions. Let’s go step-by-step to answer the question: how does server patching work?

1. Identifying patching requirements: This initial step involves monitoring the release of updates by the software vendors that are relevant to your systems. 
2. Assessment and planning: Once an update is identified, IT teams assess its applicability and potential impact on current system configurations and operations. 
3. Testing before patching: Before fully deploying a patch on live servers, it is crucial to test them in a controlled environment.
4. Deployment: After successful testing, the patch is rolled out across the affected systems. 
5. Verification and monitoring: Post-deployment, IT teams must continuously monitor the servers for any unforeseen impacts caused by the updates. 

To further understand how these processes apply to different types of servers (ie. how to patch Windows servers), IT teams should refer to guidelines specific to their operating environments.

Best practices for server patching

Effective patch management for servers is crucial for maintaining the security, stability, and performance of IT infrastructure. Here are several best practices to ensure that server patching processes are optimized:

Establish a regular schedule: Consistency is key in server patch management. Create a routine schedule to check for updates and apply them. This helps in mitigating vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by attackers.

Prioritize based on severity: Not all patches are equally important. Prioritize patches based on the severity of the issues they address. Critical security patches should be deployed as soon as possible, whereas less critical updates may be scheduled for a more convenient time.

Test patches before full deployment: To avoid potential disruptions caused by incompatible or faulty patches, it’s essential to test them in a controlled environment before rolling them out across your entire network. This can help identify any issues that could affect system stability or functionality.

Automate the patching process: Automation tools can significantly streamline the patching process, reduce human error, and ensure that patches are applied consistently across all servers. Automation also frees up valuable IT resources allowing them to focus on more strategic tasks.

Maintain an inventory of assets: Knowing exactly what hardware and software are running on your network is fundamental when implementing patches effectively. An accurate inventory helps ensure that no device is overlooked during the patching process.

Educate your team: Make sure that everyone involved understands the importance of timely and proper patch application. Training sessions and regular communications about new threats can heighten awareness and improve compliance with patching policies.

Deploy comprehensive patch management tools: A strong server patch management tool provides an overarching view of your network’s health status at any given moment. This enables better decision-making about where attention is needed most urgently.

With these best practices for server patching, you can protect your servers from known vulnerabilities, enhance their performance, and extend their useful life span. This is the foundation for proactive — rather than simply reactive — server maintenance.

Server patching process

The process of server patching, so important for maintaining the security and efficiency of your network, is based on a standard workflow that ensures smooth patching with minimal disruption. Here is the server patching process in a nutshell:

Preparation

Before initiating any patches, it’s vital to have a detailed inventory of all systems, including hardware models and operating versions. This preparation phase should also include backing up data to prevent loss in case the patching introduces any system instability.

Assessment

Regular notifications from software vendors detail necessary updates, including security vulnerabilities, bugs, or enhancements. Identify the required patches and evaluate the importance and urgency of each patch. Some patches address critical vulnerabilities and should be prioritized. 

Testing

Testing is critical, as deploying a patch directly onto live servers can lead to unexpected issues. Use staging environments that closely mimic live settings so as not to disrupt real-time operations. During testing, monitor performance changes or software conflicts that can arise after patches are applied.

Deployment

When satisfied with the test results, proceed with a careful rollout. Schedule the patch deployment at a time that minimizes disruption to services (ie. off-peak hours), since servers might need to be rebooted post-patching. If many servers or multisite networks are involved, roll out patches in batches to minimize and contain risk.

Post-patching review

After applying server patches, perform an extensive review to ensure they’re operating optimally. Conduct immediate checks for service disruptions or poor performance issues that might stem from compatibility problems. Set continuous monitoring tools like Atera for ongoing assessment post-patch deployment.

Documentation

Maintain precise records concerning what was done during every stage — this data is important for both technical and legal reasons. It is particularly useful for troubleshooting future issues or planning subsequent cycles of patching servers.

Breaking down the task of server patching into these logical phases helps simplify management and increase success rates, so your systems are as secure and efficient as possible.

Patch vs update

‘Patching’ and ‘updating’ are sometimes used interchangeably, however they are not the same. Both terms are crucial in software maintenance, yet they serve different purposes. Let explore each to understand patch vs update in more depth.

• Patch: A patch addresses security vulnerabilities or specific bugs within software. It is a fix (ie. ‘patch’) applied to existing software versions to correct specific issues without necessarily enhancing the software’s overall functionality. Patches are often released to shore up potential security breaches before they can be exploited maliciously.
• Update: Updates provide new features or functionalities to a software, alongside improvements to existing features. Updates may also include patches, but their primary focus is on enhancement and addition rather than just corrections. They represent an evolution of the software, even in some cases upgrading it to a more recent version.

The difference ultimately lies in their goals: patching improves network security and stability by correcting flaws without altering the core functions of the software. Updating, on the other hand, aims at improving software with newer features or additional functionalities that enhance the user experience or software capabilities. 

Determining when server environments need patching vs updating depends largely on your objectives — whether securing immediate vulnerabilities with quick patches or planning long-term enhancements through comprehensive updates. 

Patching servers with Atera

Atera’s IT management tool, offers an integrated solution for server patching that automates much of the process, reducing the manual effort involved and minimizing human error. 

Critically, these automation capabilities help ensure optimal patching with reduced manpower, and minimal disruption to daily operations. For example, a flexible scheduling feature enables IT teams to schedule patching during off-peak times, which is vital for maintaining optimal performance without compromising the availability of critical network resources.

Automated patch management

Let’s take a deeper look at Atera’s unique automation patch management approach, and how it operates:

• Intelligent automation: Atera scans servers continuously for missing patches. Once identified, these patches are automatically applied based on predetermined settings configured by the network administrator.
• Customization: Unlike one-size-fits-all solutions, Atera allows customization of patch policies. You can define what gets patched and when — tailoring the updates to suit specific needs of your infrastructure or compliance requirements.
• Comprehensive reporting: Transparency is key in any security posture. Atera provides detailed reports on what patches have been applied, along with those that failed or need attention. This not only helps in audit trailing but also ensures admins stay informed about their environment’s status.

Automated, real-time server patching offers companies a considerable advantage; they’re always a step ahead in cyber defense strategies, closing vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.

By leveraging tools like Atera for server patching, organizations gain not just technological advancements but also peace of mind knowing that their digital environments are safeguarded against potential threats. Start your free trial with Atera today.