Patch management is the process of identifying, acquiring, deploying, and verifying new patches (or “bug fixes”) for network devices and the software applications installed on those devices. Patches typically include updates for operating systems, application code, and embedded systems such as servers.
The Challenge: If a vulnerability isn’t patched, it could cause systems to run ineffectively. Plus, when a threat actor identifies a weakness in an application or device, they can use that weakness like a back door to access your company’s data. Exploiting undisclosed or unpatched vulnerabilities in this way is one of the leading ways in which cybercriminals attack endpoints.
How Patch Management Works: Patch management tools monitor endpoints and applications for required updates, then automatically distribute those updates according to a pre-defined schedule. They give IT teams greater visibility into device security and operational performance, and enable admins to schedule patch deployments at a time when users aren’t online, causing minimal downtime.
In this shortlist, we’ll highlight:
Heimdal™ Patch and Asset Management enables organizations to view, manage, and update their software inventory from anywhere in the world to ensure all software is up-to-date, secure against any vulnerabilities, and fully compliant.
Who it’s for: Heimdal™ Patch and Asset Management is suitable for organizations of any size looking for a comprehensive, highly customizable patch management solution, with a focus on both granular functionality and ease of use.
What we like: This is a comprehensive platform, but it’s also very straightforward to use. It offers a clean, modern user interface that makes it easy to configure policies and reports, and schedule patches.
The bottom line: Heimdal™ Patch and Asset Management is a fully featured patch management solution that enables organizations to seamlessly deploy and patch software via a modern, cloud-based admin console.
Ninja Patch Management gives IT teams and Managed Service Providers (MSPs) greater visibility into their endpoint security and helps them automate patching across their endpoints.
Who it’s for: Ninja Patch Management is a strong solution for small- to mid-market MSPs and organizations in the government or education sectors looking for an intuitive tool that a smaller IT department can manage.
What we like: This cloud-native platform is really easy to use, thanks to its user-friendly interface, continuous software improvements based on customer feedback, and Ninja’s dedicated support team.
The bottom line: With Ninja Patch Management, IT teams can automate their patch management workflows to more efficiently keep their endpoints protected. Its per-device pricing and monthly billing, combined with its ease of deployment and management, make this a great patch management tool for those looking to get up and running quickly.
ESET Vulnerability & Patch Management tracks vulnerabilities across Windows and macOS operating systems and applications, with automated patching via ESET’s integrated endpoint security platform.
Who it’s for: We recommend ESET Vulnerability & Patch Management for organizations looking for powerful endpoint security, vulnerability management, and patch management, delivered in an easy-to-use, unified admin console.
What we like: ESET Vulnerability & Patch Management goes beyond patch management, adding vulnerability scanning to offer comprehensive endpoint security.
The bottom line: ESET Vulnerability & Patch Management provides fully featured patch management and powerful protection for your entire endpoint network. It can be deployed standalone or as part of the wider ESET PROTECT platform, which also includes XDR, server security, full disk encryption, email security, and cloud app protection.
Atera is an all-in-one platform for Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM), helpdesk, ticketing, and automation. This user-friendly solution consolidates RMM, remote desktop access, IT automations, patch management, scripting, help desk and ticketing, network discovery, and reporting into a single dashboard.
Who it’s for: Atera is a strong solution for small- to mid-sized MSPs and IT service providers looking to automate and simplify their patch management processes.
What we like: This platform offers a very user-friendly interface and strong remote support capabilities via the mobile app.
The bottom line: Atera’s consolidated IT management and security platform enables support teams to quickly and easily discover and address issues across their clients’ networks.
SuperOps is a unified RMM and PSA platform that combines patch management, remote access, network monitoring, and intelligent AI alerts with a comprehensive service desk, automated invoicing, and smart documentation.
Who it’s for: SuperOps is an effective solution for MSPs looking for a comprehensive platform for remote monitoring, patch management, and client management.
What we like: Everything is managed in a single, modern pane of glass, which is easy-to-use and supports a marketplace of integrations with popular security tools.
The bottom line: SuperOps enables MSPs to manage every facet of their clients’ networks via a single, modern pane of glass.
Adaptiva’s OneSite Patch enables organizations to patch and manage their endpoints at scale. The solution is available standalone or as part of the wider suite of OneSite products, which includes modules for IT health checks, software distribution, and remote device start-up.
Who it’s for: OneSite Patch is a strong solution for ITOps and SecOps teams within larger enterprises. Thanks to the platform’s unique P2P architecture, you can deploy patches of several gigabytes in size across tens of thousands of endpoints, with minimal network impact.
What we like: OneSite Patch is a highly scalable, highly versatile solution: it’s compatible with Windows, Linux, and Mac devices, third-party applications, servers, drivers, and BIOS firmware, and it offers a library of 45,000 patches for 1,600+ third-party products, apps, and drivers that’s updated daily.
The bottom line: OneSite Patch is a powerful, high-speed patch management tool with lots of automation capabilities. The platform is currently available as a single-server on-premises solution but can be moved to a virtual or cloud server, and Adaptiva has plans to roll out a full SaaS version in the next few months.
Automox is a cloud-native patch and vulnerability management platform that supports Windows, MacOS, and Linux endpoints, providing patching and configuration controls for clients, servers, virtual machines, containers, and cloud instances.
Who it’s for: Thanks to its combination of a single, lightweight agent, user-friendly interface, and cloud-native architecture, Automox is suitable for SMBs and large enterprises alike.
What we like: Because of its cloud-native, cross-platform architecture, Automox’s configuration management is highly scalable and can support all devices—regardless of operating system, location, or domain—via a single user interface.
The bottom line: Automox provides a single, consolidated platform for securing on-premises, remote, and hybrid endpoints against known and zero-day vulnerabilities.
Patch Manager Plus is ManageEngine’s patch management solution. It’s compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux operating systems, and also supports patching for over 900 third-party apps and updates for over 500 third-party apps.
Who it’s for: We recommend Patch Manager Plus to SMBs looking for an easy-to-use, intuitive patch management solution with reliable reporting capabilities.
What we like: Patch Manager Plus offers a user-friendly interface that makes it really easy to set up automatic patch deployment.
The bottom line: Patch Manager Plus is a reliable solution that delivers lots of automation via a user-friendly interface, making it easy to manage patches across a range of devices and third-party apps.
Microsoft Intune is a mobile device and application management solution that delivers software updates to mobile Windows devices. It allows you to manage the Windows Update for Business configuration built into Windows operating systems.
Who it’s for: Intune is suitable for organizations looking to deploy software updates across corporate-issued and BYOD mobile endpoints running on a Windows OS. For updating operating systems, software and applications across desktops, organizations should consider Microsoft Endpoint Manager (formerly SCCM).
What we like: Deployed in the cloud, Intune is a highly scalable solution and, being Microsoft owned, it integrates seamlessly with all Windows OSs and Microsoft applications.
The bottom line: Intune offers robust patch management capabilities for mobile devices running on Windows. It’s available as a standalone Azure service billed per user, but also as part of the following Microsoft 365 licenses: Business Premium, E3, E5, F3 and Government.
Patch My PC’s flagship solution, Application & Patch Management, enables organizations to quickly and securely package and patch applications.
Who it’s for: By utilizing existing Configuration Manager or Intune infrastructure for app and update deployment, this solution is highly scalable. This, alongside its ability to automate much of the patch workflow, makes Patch My PC Application & Patch Management a strong solution for large enterprises running a Microsoft environment.
What we like:
The bottom line: Patch My PC Application & Patch Management does exactly what it says on the tin: it’s an easy-to-use patch management tool that offers high scalability, lots of automation to streamline the patch process and save your team time, and comprehensive reporting.
PDQ Deploy is a patch management solution the enables organizations to update third-party software and deploy custom scripts across on-prem Windows devices.
Who it’s for: This is a strong solution for any-sized organizations looking to secure their on-premises Windows devices. To cover VPN-connected devices, you can also add on a PDQ Inventory subscription to your license.
What we like: PDQ Deploy takes a “set and forget” approach to patching by automating many of the repetitive tasks involved in identifying, testing, and deploying patches and software updates.
The bottom line: PDQ Deploy is a strong patch management for securing Windows devices. It offers powerful automations that take the repetition out of match management, allowing you to focus on more hands-on security tasks.
We researched lots of patch management solutions while we were making this guide. Here are a few other tools worth your consideration:
A software patch (or “bug fix”) is a sequence of code designed to update, improve, or fix a computer program or application. A patch can also be used to add new features to a program.
In other words, it “patches” up a hole or makes the original program stronger, like a fabric patch would on a worn pair of jeans.
Patch management is the process of monitoring all the devices and software applications connected to your network for vulnerabilities, then applying the correct patch to any vulnerabilities you discover.
Usually, patch management is handled by an individual, team, or an automated software solution like those in this shortlist.
There are three main stages involved in patch management:
A patch management solution downloads patches on your behalf and distributes them automatically in line with policies that you configure. It also alerts you to unsuccessful patch deployments, and usually offers a roll-back feature to remove a patch if it isn’t working correctly.
Not patching your software can cause it to run inefficiently or, worse, provide a backdoor for cybercriminals to enter your network. So, it’s important for you to deploy your patches.
But you also need to make sure you deploy them as soon as possible after they’re made available.
Newly released patches often come with the disclosure of the security risk the patch is designed to fix. For attackers, this information is a gift; instead of spending time and energy attempting to uncover vulnerabilities, they can simply read up on the latest patch for a third-party component and specifically target those users.
We understand that you’re very busy and have lots of work to get on with, and that might mean that patching just isn’t at the top of your priority list—but unfortunately, attackers know this too, and they’re more than happy to exploit that.
To help avoid that, we recommend implementing a patch management tool that will identify vulnerabilities, locate the right patch, test that patch, and finally deploy it for you.
Caitlin Harris is Deputy Head of Content at Expert Insights. Caitlin is an experienced writer and journalist, with years of experience producing award-winning technical training materials and journalistic content. Caitlin holds a First Class BA in English Literature and German, and provides our content team with strategic editorial guidance as well as carrying out detailed research to create articles that are accurate, engaging and relevant. Caitlin co-hosts the Expert Insights Podcast, where she interviews world-leading B2B tech experts.
Craig MacAlpine is CEO and founder of Expert Insights. Before founding Expert Insights in August 2018, Craig spent 10 years as CEO of EPA cloud, an email security provider acquired by Ziff Davies, formerly J2Global (NASQAQ: ZD) in 2013, which has now been rebranded as VIPRE Email Security. Craig has extensive experience in the email security industry, with 20+ years of experience helping organizations to stay secure with innovative information security and cyber security solutions.