In security and cybersecurity, patch management refers to locating, obtaining, testing, and implementing software updates or patches to address known security flaws and vulnerabilities in a business's computer systems, applications, and network infrastructure. Patch management's main objective is to maintain software and procedures safe and up to date by lowering the possibility that hostile actors, who frequently target known vulnerabilities, would take advantage of them.

Critical components of patch management include:

Vulnerability Assessment: Identifying security vulnerabilities in the organization's systems and software can involve using security scanning tools, penetration testing, and monitoring security advisories.

Patch Identification: Finding and acquiring patches or updates provided by software vendors or developers to address known vulnerabilities. These patches typically fix software bugs and security issues.

Testing: Ensuring patches won't disrupt the organization's systems or introduce new issues. It often involves testing patches in a controlled environment before deploying them in production systems.

Deployment: Installing and configuring patches on all relevant systems and devices. It can be done manually or through automated patch management tools.

Monitoring: Continuously monitoring for new vulnerabilities and patches and verifying that patches have been successfully applied and systems remain secure.

Patch management is critical to cybersecurity as it helps organizations avoid potential security threats by addressing vulnerabilities that attackers could exploit. Failing to apply patches promptly can expose systems to known risks, making them more susceptible to cyberattacks.

ThreatNG is an all-in-one external attack surface management (EASM), digital risk protection (DRP), and security ratings solution that significantly enhances an organization's Patch Management strategy. By continuously monitoring and fortifying the organization's external digital assets, it provides early identification of vulnerabilities that require patching. This proactive approach complements internal security measures by offering a comprehensive view of the organization's external risk landscape, enabling informed decisions and actions to prioritize and apply patches promptly, reducing the exposure window to known vulnerabilities. It reinforces the organization's cybersecurity posture, safeguarding systems and applications from external weaknesses and streamlining the patch management process for enhanced security and risk mitigation.