Enterprise Patch Management Checklist

1. Patch Management Policy and Strategy

Define patch management objectives and scope
Establish patch prioritization criteria
Create a patch testing and deployment workflow
Define roles and responsibilities for patch management
Establish Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for patching
Develop an emergency patching procedure

2. Asset Inventory and Classification

Maintain an up-to-date inventory of all IT assets
Classify assets based on criticality and sensitivity
Identify all operating systems and software versions in use
Document custom applications and their dependencies
Map assets to business processes and services

3. Patch Information Gathering

Subscribe to vendor security advisories and alerts
Implement a vulnerability scanning solution
Set up automated patch detection for supported systems
Establish a process for handling end-of-life software
Create a centralized patch information repository

4. Patch Testing and Validation

Set up a dedicated test environment mirroring production
Develop test plans for critical systems and applications
Conduct compatibility testing for all patches
Perform user acceptance testing when necessary
Document test results and any issues encountered
Establish criteria for patch approval or rejection

5. Patch Deployment

Create deployment groups based on asset classification
Implement a staged rollout process
Use automated deployment tools (e.g., SCCM, WSUS)
Schedule patches during maintenance windows
Establish a process for handling failed deployments
Implement post-deployment validation checks

6. Monitoring and Reporting

Set up patch compliance monitoring
Implement alerts for critical patch failures
Create dashboards for patch status visibility
Generate regular patch compliance reports
Track patch-related incidents and resolutions
Conduct post-mortem analyses for significant patching issues

7. Patch Management for Cloud and Mobile Devices

Integrate cloud services into patch management workflow
Implement Mobile Device Management (MDM) for patching
Ensure consistent patch policies across on-premises and cloud
Address challenges of patching remote and mobile devices
Consider containerization for improved mobile app management

8. Continuous Improvement

Regularly review and update patch management policies
Conduct periodic audits of the patch management process
Gather feedback from stakeholders and end-users
Stay informed about industry best practices and new technologies
Provide ongoing training for the patch management team

Tip:

Consider implementing a vulnerability management program alongside your patch management process. This holistic approach helps prioritize patching efforts based on actual risk to your organization.

Note:

While automated patching can significantly improve efficiency, always maintain the ability to quickly disable or rollback patches in case of unexpected issues. This is especially crucial for mission-critical systems.