Cybersecurity glossary
What is patch management?
Also known as: patching, software updates
Definition
Patch management is the process of finding, prioritizing, testing and installing software updates that fix security flaws.
Why it matters
Effective programs start with an asset inventory, patch actively exploited vulnerabilities first, automate where possible and track exceptions. Unsupported software that no longer receives patches should be replaced.
Common questions about patch management
- Why are software updates so important for security?
- How should I prioritize which vulnerabilities to patch first?
- What is ransomware and how does it get in?
- What is CISA’s Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog?
- What is malware and what are the main types?
- How does antivirus security compare to network firewall security?
- What is the difference between AI security and cloud security?
- Can an iPhone be used as a security camera?
Sources
Related Guides
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