Cyber attacks and data breaches damage productivity, revenue, and reputation. Consider patch management and managed IT services to avoid security issues.

For an increasing number of companies, IT processes compose the infrastructure of their business. This IT framework allows for streamlining day to day operations, maximizing productivity, cutting costs, and ultimately increasing profits.

As this reliance on IT grows, threats to the viability of the IT infrastructure become scarier. There is more and more at stake. The danger of potential cyber attacks and other security breaches keeps rising, and businesses are reevaluating their current security measures as well as those of relevant business partners.

Big companies like Microsoft, IBM, and Oracle understand that businesses using its platforms are counting on high security. Because of this, the prevention of hacks and attacks continues to be a top priority. Ongoing testing, as well as regular system updates, help to address any vulnerabilities that are detected.

The Importance of Patch Management

Another crucial security step is ensuring that all machines have the very latest patches available. When network monitoring finds vulnerable areas, security updates can then be immediately applied. These updates are referred to as security patches.

Effective patch management just might just be the most efficient way to avoid data breaches and cyber threats to your IT applications. If even one computer is missing a patch, the whole environment could be compromised. Because it is so critical and time sensitive, professionally managed IT services including network monitoring and patch management is the best way to achieve it.

The benefits of professional patch management as part of your managed IT services include:

It’s Automatic. Automated patch management and continuous delivery of updates help businesses avoid (or at least decrease) downtime.

Effective Resource Management. Code from newly applied patches can be limited regarding run time on business-critical machines. Reboots will be delayed until planned periods of downtime. A two-phase process can be employed similar to that recommended by Microsoft in SharePoint Server patching. Operating time is then maximized.

Avoid Failures. Your system will be continually monitored, and service recovery and fault isolation will be initiated to swiftly detect and control outages and failures. Service restoration will be more timely.

Specialized Techniques. Clusters technologies through periods of redundancy improve system availability. Productivity-enhancing workarounds will be employed whenever possible.

For all of these security benefits and more, patch management should be a part of every managed IT services plan. While your system may seem to be running fine, not having this service leaves your technology services open to security breaches and costly downtime if there is a failure.

Thinking of going it alone? Attempting to address patch management internally can lead to the following issues:

Too Complex. If an organization uses non-standardized or disparate systems, patching can become exceedingly complex.

Scale. The scale required for patching in companies that allow workers to use their own devices can be too overwhelming for internal departments, as each device must be patched and monitored continually to ensure the network is secure.

Reliable Uptime is Not Optional

Service uptime is crucial for modern businesses, from Fortune 500 companies to smaller enterprises. Unplanned downtime can cost you concerning productivity, revenue, and brand reputation. All businesses should consider patch management as part of managed IT services.

Managed IT support services also includes comprehensive network monitoring and security services. If you’re ready to make automated, reliable patch management a part of managed IT services for your business, Vertical IT can help. Contact Vertical IT of New England for more information. Call (888) 505-8215, or email us at info@verticalitcorp.com with your questions and concerns.