Keeping software current.
WHAT UPDATES CONTAIN
Security fixes Defect corrections New features Compatibility changes
WHY SECURITY FIXES MATTER MOST
Once a weakness is published, automated exploitation follows within hours.
WHAT PATCHING MEANS OPERATIONALLY
Applying updates across an estate, in a controlled way.
WHAT A PATCHING PROCESS REQUIRES
Knowing what is installed Knowing what is available Testing, for anything significant A schedule A record of what was applied
WHY TESTING
Updates occasionally break things, particularly with specialist software.
WHAT TO PRIORITISE
Security updates for anything exposed.
WHAT TO AUTOMATE
Routine updates, where the risk of delay exceeds the risk of the update.
WHAT NOT TO AUTOMATE
Major version changes.
WHAT TO PLAN
Replacement of software and systems reaching end of support.
WHY
Unsupported software receives no fixes, and that is a standing exposure regardless of anything else.
