Is It Possible to Include Patch Management in Your Service Package?

It is no longer surprising that cybercriminals are constantly searching for vulnerabilities to exploit. This is why patch management has become increasingly important in recent years. In fact, Verizon's 2024 Data Breach Investigations Report revealed a significant 180% increase compared to the previous year. This highlights the urgency of having a solid patch management process in place.

In this context, MSPs that offer patch management as a service can proactively help their clients by keeping systems updated and protected against increasingly sophisticated threats. The key is to adopt best practices and the right tools.

An Essential Service to Stand Out in the Market

Incorporating patch management into your service portfolio not only increases your value as a strategic partner but also:
• Create an entry point for value-added services: Offering streamlined patching can facilitate the adoption of additional cybersecurity and compliance solutions.
• Strengthens client relationships: Offer an essential service for their protection to build trust.
• Preserves your reputation: Prevent incidents caused by unpatched vulnerabilities.
• Differentiates your offering: Provide a comprehensive cybersecurity approach that sets you apart from competitors.

However, patch management can become a headache without a clear methodology and reliable technological solutions. Below, we present the best practices for successfully implementing this service.

Best Practices for a Successful Patch Management Service

Automate and Standardize

A common mistake is to approach patching manually or through scattered processes, which leads to inefficiency and neglect. Automation, on the other hand, minimizes human errors and allows you to scale the service without overwhelming your technical team. Not only does this save time, but it also increases the scalability of your service, enabling you to apply patches reliably and promptly for clients of all sizes.
• Patch Discovery: Use a solution that automatically identifies and applies critical updates for each device, both for operating systems and third-party applications.
• Testing and Approvals: Ensure your team can validate more delicate patches in a controlled environment before deploying them widely.
• Reports and Logs: Traceability is essential. An advanced patch management tool will provide clear reports showing which patches were applied, when, and on which devices ‒ key for meeting certain regulatory requirements.

Prioritize Critical Vulnerabilities

Not all updates carry the same level of urgency. Conduct a risk assessment to identify vulnerabilities with the highest potential impact or those already exploited by cybercriminals. This not only protects your clients but also optimizes your team's resource usage.
• Frequent patching cycles for clients with critical systems (e.g., healthcare, financial environments) may require continuous monitoring, automatic vulnerability identification, and faster deployment speeds.
• Endpoints with outdated or end-of-life (EOL) software are easy targets for attacks. Make quick decisions on what needs to be patched first.

Continuous Monitoring

Successful patch management goes beyond simply “apply and forget.” Real-time monitoring will help you:
• Detect new updates that arise after the initial deployment.
• Identify conflicts or failures that occur after patching and require a rollback.
• Measure performance and stability to ensure that the patching process does not interfere with your clients' daily operations.

Choose a Specialized Tool

Providing effective patch management requires balancing your clients' security and operational continuity. This is why it’s crucial to have tools specifically designed for patch management. For example, WatchGuard Patch Management greatly simplifies this task by offering a centralized and automated approach to discovering, testing, deploying, and reporting patches, minimizing human errors and potential disruptions. Both your clients and your team will value this.

Patch management should be seen as a key component within a broader cybersecurity and business continuity strategy. It's no longer enough to react when an incident occurs; MSPs and VARs are expected to provide proactive protection against ever-evolving threats.