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Nicole Keiner
- Patch Management: An Essential Cyber Security Service Your Business May Not Have
Knowledge Base
Patch Management: An Essential Cyber Security Service Your Business May Not Have
Do you lock the doors to your business when you go home to protect confidential information and valuables from robbers? Why, of course, you do! But, while the physical security of your business is extremely important and always on top of mind, you need to value cybersecurity at a higher level.
Virtual criminals can be found everywhere, and businesses are a hacker’s sweet spot. For years, cybersecurity updates or patches were focused on new features, but now, they are almost entirely security-focused. The reason is simply that data has become the new ‘gold’ for hackers.
Depending on the article or information source, some organizations are saying that over 80% of data breaches are human error, phishing scams, poor file storage, bad computer security policies, glitch or transfer mistakes. The other half of data breaches are malicious or criminal attacks. Unfortunately, criminal attacks are on the rise and will soon be the top reason for data breaches.
In January 2020 alone, there was more than 1.76 billion records leaked. So how, as a business, do you protect your confidential information? The first step - have a solid patch management process in place.
What exactly is patching?
Patching is like having holes in your roof. It is not a huge problem until it rains. And then, when it rains, it pours, making a huge mess that could have been avoided if the small hole was fixed months ago. That is where Intrada comes in. We don’t just randomly patch when needed. Patching is a continual process that is monitored.
Intrada has been managing patching and security for over 20 years. Patch management should be considered proactive, not a reactive service. We use patch management tools with monthly and quarterly compliance follow-up processes to ensure client networks are patched to the latest versions. Intrada also offers employee training, security audits, phish testing, vulnerability notification, disaster recovery, and advanced cyber-security policies, including HIPAA, HIST, and CMMC controls to support network management compliancy standards. In addition, most PRO-Active Network Agreements from Intrada include patch management as part of the core deliverables to ensure our clients' patching is not a security liability.
Intrada Technologies prioritizes patching into four levels:
- Operating systems running on workstations, laptops, devices, mobile devices, or servers.
- Services including virus protection, endpoint detection, and response or filters.
- Hardware including firmware versions on switches, firewalls, wireless devices, servers, workstations, printers, camera systems, and any attached network devices or services.
- Software like Microsoft Office, Java, office productivity, Adobe, accounting, 3rd party browsers, and all installed software.
Cybersecurity Insurance Isn’t Enough
Hackers know that you have value in your data. It is your responsibility to protect your business and clients’ information from cybercriminals. Purchasing cyber insurance that will help cover the costs of a cyberattack is important, but it isn’t enough. This insurance does not mean your business is fully protected. It means you need to prove you are patching, or in the event of a claim, the insurance company will not pay out all benefits. This is where Intrada can help.
With a solid patch management process in place to ensure the proper patches are getting installed within an approved window of time from release to prevent cybercriminals from installing ransomware on computers, you are doing everything you can as a business to keep your information safe.
If your company is interested in having a cybersecurity review or discuss PRO-Active management services from Intrada, including patch management, give us a call at 1-800-858-5745.
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Intrada Technologies is a full-service web development and network management company with a focus on creating ongoing, trusted partnerships with each of our clients.
We make sure our clients have what they require to run their businesses with maximum efficiency and reliability, as many of their needs are mission-critical.
Our unique, collaborative partnerships allow us to provide our clients with the assurance that we will be there when they need us.