It’s important to keep your business’ computers up-to-date by installing patches for your operating system and software you use. However, while patches can enhance the security and stability of your system, they can also cause software issues or introduce new vulnerabilities to your network. The easiest and safest way to ensure your system is both updated and secure is to rely on OS and security patch management from trusted experts who can test patches thoroughly before introducing them to your network.
Why do I need to install updates?
Many OS or software patches install fixes for common software bugs, creating greater system stability. Others provide improved functionality and remove outdated features that may no longer work. These updates keep software running smoothly and reliably.
However, other patches include fixes for serious security flaws that can be exploited by hackers and malware. It’s often tempting to put off updates when our computer tells us they are available, but waiting to install security updates can leave your network exposed in a big way. In fact, the Equifax data breach of 2017 that exposed the personal data of 147 million Americans—and cost the company $1.4 billion—could have been avoided had Equifax installed a security patch that had been released two months earlier.
If updates are important, should I just let my system update automatically?
While updates are important, sometimes they can cause as many problems as they fix. In a well-known example from 2014, a small iOS update caused thousands of iPhones to lose their cellular connections, and the year before, an update from Sony locked out a large number of users from their PlayStation systems. These updates made devices completely unusable, requiring users to uninstall updates or wait for a corrected patch.
It’s bad enough when patches cause problems on your personal phone or gaming system but imagine that same problem for all the computers on your business’ network. Imagine the hours spent uninstalling updates and testing patches to determine what is causing the issue. These updates are critically necessary, but they can also hurt your productivity, stability, and security. So what’s the solution? How can you decide whether to install an update or not?
How can TracSoft Tech’s OS and Security Patch Management help my business?
Patch management is a form of systems management that takes the guesswork out of updates. The experts at TracSoft Tech can install updates on a test terminal to see how the updates will affect your OS and other software you have installed. Once we know the effect of these updates, we can weigh that against the risk of not installing the patches. If we determine it is better to install the updates on your network, we can do that remotely, ensuring these updates are fully and correctly installed throughout your network. Once updates are installed, we will further test your system to ensure everything is functioning optimally.
By relying on TracSoft Tech, you can feel confident that your systems are both up-to-date and secure and functional. Contact TracSoft Tech today to discuss patch management for your business. Don’t wait to protect the network you rely on.
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