Too Many Organizations Look to Scheduled Audits to Dictate Patching Efforts
Though it may seem obvious that patches to critical vulnerabilities in IT systems need to be implemented right away, the fact remains that huge numbers of today’s enterprises tend to be slow at actually deploying them. Whether it’s a lack of resources, overtasked personnel or simply a lack of consistent processes, the ever-growing threat looms and it’s clear that criminals remain unwavering in their use of unpatched vulnerabilities as their path toward successful cyberattacks.
The Risks of a Reactive vs Proactive Approach
Successfully reducing security risk for any business requires much more than a cyber awareness class for employees or an extra step in password authentication. These are simply compliance checkboxes that are often brushed over quickly as many choose to believe that they are unlikely to be targeted by cybercriminals. This lax approach is exactly what gets cybercriminals giddy. Not only can they prey on an unsuspecting employee, but they can also count on unpatched vulnerabilities. Such complacency can bring long-term consequences and leave a door open for repeated attacks if a proactive response is not taken before a threat actually occurs.
Don’t Wait For Your Next Audit
Far too often, complacency among organizations, both large and small, starts with a delayed reaction to security vulnerabilities and a hefty reliance on annual or semi-annual audits. While IT audits are incredibly useful, they can’t be used as a timing mechanism for patch management. Afterall, once a vulnerability is known, it’s by both the organization and its potential foes. Having a “wait until audited” mentality when it comes to taking a serious look at an organization’s security infrastructure gives many business owners an overconfident mindset in their system compliance and network security. Meanwhile, attack surfaces continue to spread and the vulnerabilities continue to ripen for a successful attack.
Cybercriminals are highly sophisticated in their methods of attacks. If they are aware that security updates are on a set schedule, it becomes easy for them to use an unpatched vulnerability as a pathway in and quickly devastate a business with a hard hitting breach that requires a financially draining recovery. The domino effect to a delayed patch application becomes amplified if daily operations must come to a halt for recovery time. Ultimately, reputations among customers and stakeholders will suffer.
When weighing the outcomes of such threats, it’s clear that these emergency factors far outweigh the costs of establishing proactive security measures that automatically respond to security threats.
Patch, Patch, Patch
Every second counts in cybersecurity, and this is why stepping up vulnerability management is crucial. Implementing swift remediation tactics that focus on recognizing, detecting and responding to vulnerabilities requires the application of immediate security patches. Not adequately patching software leaves network systems highly exposed to criminals seeking to infiltrate and wreak havoc. Although most companies understand the importance that proper patching hygiene can bring, they are seeking efficiency that can cause more harm than good.
Manual processes of traditional patch management have long placed IT members at a disadvantage when extensive coordination and regularly scheduled downtime is required. From operational delays, to staffing shortages, the fear of too many steps can cause necessary patch applications to get delayed by weeks or even months.
Opting to move to automated, rebootless patch management can not only lighten the load for burnt out IT teams, but it can seamlessly apply real-time security patches to open vulnerabilities as soon as they become available. If a proper vulnerability monitoring system is also in place, patches can be triaged and applied in the order of severity, further reducing the risk to a business. Rebootless patching or “live” patching not only minimizes the risk of unexpected system failures but can provide substantial labor cost savings and eliminate maintenance window headaches. Fighting automation with automation can not only significantly reduce exposure to zero-day exploits but can help companies stay compliant with regulatory patching requirements.
Proactive vulnerability management through an automated patching system is essential when it comes to significantly reducing known risk. Immediately recognizing, patching and securing high-risk vulnerabilities before a money-hungry hacker can pounce can be a determining factor in a business’s long-term security. Prioritizing routine monitoring and patch applications for known vulnerabilities can enable organizations to be prepared with a proactive environment that combats escalating threats successfully. Coupled with consistent IT audits, organizations can ensure they stay one step ahead of cybercriminals while maintaining a robust cybersecurity posture.
Joao Correia currently serves as Technical Evangelist at TuxCare (www.tuxcare.com), an innovator in enterprise-grade cybersecurity for Linux.
