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Patch Management for Compliance

Patch Management for Compliance

Overview

Unpatched systems are one of the leading causes of security breaches and compliance violations. Soteria Cloud's Patch Management solution, built on Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud, provides automated, fail-safe patching for Windows, macOS, Linux, and 200+ third-party applications. With centralized management, approval workflows, and comprehensive reporting, organizations can maintain patch compliance, reduce vulnerability exposure, and meet regulatory requirements—all while minimizing the risk of patch-related disruptions.

The Patching Challenge

Organizations struggle with patch management for several reasons:

  • Volume of Patches - Hundreds of patches released monthly across operating systems and applications

  • Testing Requirements - Patches must be tested before deployment to avoid breaking production systems

  • Maintenance Windows - Limited time windows for applying patches without disrupting business

  • Third-Party Applications - OS patching tools don't cover Adobe, Java, browsers, and other common applications

  • Compliance Pressure - Regulations require timely patching, often within 30 days of release

  • Remote Endpoints - Patching laptops and remote workers is challenging

  • Rollback Complexity - Problematic patches must be quickly removed

Soteria Cloud's Patch Management Solution

1. Comprehensive Patch Coverage

  • Operating Systems - Windows (all versions), macOS, Linux (major distributions)

  • Microsoft Applications - Office, SQL Server, Exchange, SharePoint, .NET Framework

  • Third-Party Applications - 200+ applications including Adobe Reader/Acrobat, Java, browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Edge), compression tools (7-Zip, WinRAR), media players, and productivity software

  • Automatic Discovery - Identifies all installed software requiring patches

2. Intelligent Patch Management

  • Automated Patch Detection - Continuous scanning identifies missing patches across all endpoints

  • Severity Classification - Patches categorized by criticality (Critical, Important, Moderate, Low)

  • Approval Workflows - Test patches in pilot groups before broad deployment

  • Scheduled Deployment - Apply patches during maintenance windows to minimize disruption

  • Automatic Reboot Management - Control when systems reboot after patching

  • Bandwidth Optimization - Patches downloaded once and distributed efficiently

3. Fail-Safe Patching

  • Pre-Patch Backup - Automatic backup before applying patches

  • Rollback Capability - Quickly revert problematic patches

  • Patch Exclusion - Block specific patches known to cause issues

  • Pilot Testing - Deploy to test group before production rollout

  • Health Monitoring - Detect and alert on patch-related issues

4. Compliance Reporting

  • Patch Compliance Dashboard - Real-time view of patch status across all endpoints

  • Vulnerability Reports - Identify systems with critical unpatched vulnerabilities

  • Compliance Reports - Demonstrate patch compliance for audits (ISO 27001, PCI-DSS, HIPAA, POPIA)

  • Patch History - Complete audit trail of all patching activities

  • Executive Summaries - High-level reports for management and board

How Patch Management Works

1. Discovery & Assessment

  • Acronis agents scan endpoints for installed software and missing patches

  • Vulnerability assessment identifies security risks from unpatched systems

  • Dashboard displays patch compliance status and critical vulnerabilities

2. Patch Approval

  • New patches are automatically detected and categorized by severity

  • Administrators review patches and approve for deployment

  • Critical security patches can be auto-approved for rapid deployment

  • Patches can be tested in pilot groups before broad rollout

3. Scheduled Deployment

  • Approved patches are deployed during configured maintenance windows

  • Pre-patch backups are created automatically

  • Patches are installed with minimal user disruption

  • Systems reboot if required (or reboot is deferred to user-selected time)

4. Monitoring & Verification

  • Patch deployment status is monitored in real-time

  • Failed installations are flagged for investigation

  • Post-patch verification confirms successful installation

  • Compliance reports are updated automatically

5. Rollback (if needed)

  • If patches cause issues, administrators can quickly roll back

  • Pre-patch backups enable rapid recovery

  • Problematic patches can be excluded from future deployments

Compliance Use Cases

ISO 27001 Compliance

  • Requirement: A.12.6.1 - Management of technical vulnerabilities

  • Solution: Automated vulnerability scanning and patch deployment

  • Evidence: Patch compliance reports showing timely remediation of vulnerabilities

PCI-DSS Compliance

  • Requirement: 6.2 - Ensure all systems are protected from known vulnerabilities by installing applicable vendor-supplied security patches within one month of release

  • Solution: Automated patch deployment within 30-day window; critical patches deployed immediately

  • Evidence: Patch history reports demonstrating compliance with 30-day requirement

HIPAA Compliance

  • Requirement: 164.308(a)(5)(ii)(B) - Protection from malicious software

  • Solution: Regular patching to close vulnerabilities exploited by malware

  • Evidence: Patch compliance reports and vulnerability assessments

POPIA Compliance (South Africa)

  • Requirement: Section 19 - Appropriate technical measures to protect personal information

  • Solution: Timely patching prevents exploitation of vulnerabilities that could lead to data breaches

  • Evidence: Patch management reports demonstrating proactive security measures

Cyber Insurance Requirements

  • Requirement: Many insurers require patching within 30 days and vulnerability management

  • Solution: Automated patching with compliance reporting

  • Evidence: Patch compliance reports for insurance applications and renewals

Best Practices

  • Prioritize Critical Patches - Deploy critical security patches within 7 days; other patches within 30 days

  • Test Before Deployment - Use pilot groups to test patches before broad rollout

  • Automate Where Possible - Auto-approve and deploy critical security patches to reduce exposure window

  • Maintain Maintenance Windows - Schedule patching during off-hours to minimize business disruption

  • Enable Pre-Patch Backups - Always create backups before patching for rapid rollback if needed

  • Monitor Patch Status - Review patch compliance dashboards weekly; address failed installations promptly

  • Document Exceptions - If patches cannot be applied (compatibility issues), document compensating controls

  • Include Third-Party Apps - Don't forget to patch Adobe, Java, browsers, and other common attack vectors

  • Patch Remote Workers - Ensure VPN-connected and remote endpoints receive patches

Patch Management Workflow

Weekly Cycle:

  • Monday: Review new patches released; assess criticality and applicability

  • Tuesday: Approve patches for pilot deployment; deploy to test group

  • Wednesday: Monitor pilot group for issues; verify successful installation

  • Thursday: Approve patches for production deployment if pilot successful

  • Friday-Sunday: Patches deploy during maintenance windows; systems reboot as needed

  • Monday: Review deployment results; address any failures; update compliance reports

Key Benefits

  • Reduced Vulnerability Exposure - Close security gaps before attackers exploit them

  • Compliance Assurance - Meet regulatory requirements for timely patching

  • Lower Breach Risk - Patched systems are significantly less likely to be compromised

  • Operational Efficiency - Automated patching reduces manual effort and human error

  • Fail-Safe Protection - Pre-patch backups enable rapid rollback if issues occur

  • Comprehensive Coverage - OS and 200+ third-party applications patched from single platform

  • Audit Readiness - Detailed reports demonstrate patch compliance for auditors

Why Choose Soteria Cloud for Patch Management

  • Integrated Platform - Patch management integrated with backup, security, and RMM in single solution

  • Fail-Safe Patching - Automatic pre-patch backups enable rapid recovery from patch issues

  • Comprehensive Coverage - OS and third-party application patching from single console

  • Local Support - Soteria Cloud's team provides guidance on patch management best practices

  • Compliance Expertise - Reports and documentation tailored for South African compliance requirements

  • Predictable Costs - Patch management included in Soteria Cloud bundles; no additional licensing

Resources