Managed Operations

Enhance your IT security by applying patches & upgrades

Upgrade. Patch. You don’t have to be an IT expert to come across these terms. But can you explain how important they are? In short: they ensure that you can quickly fix the security vulnerabilities in your system, so it continues to function properly. How exactly does that work? We’ll tell you below.

What exactly is a patch?

Developers of applications, programs, or operating systems release their product only when it is complete and working optimally – according to them. Of course, no product is perfect right away. During its maintenance phase, developers will include bugs, security vulnerabilities, and issues reported by users. They then optimize the product and offer patches to users. These patches ensure that the product gets an update when the user executes them. The type of update depends on the changes made to the product code, product version, and package code of the application.

As a user, you can maintain your IT environment preventively by executing the latest patches. If you don’t do this, or don’t do it immediately, it will have negative consequences for the quality and performance of the product and the security of your IT environment.

Your IT environment up-to-date thanks to upgrading and patching.

What exactly are patches for?

Generally, patches improve the operation of your software by:

blocking security vulnerabilities
fixing minor software bugs
providing providers with newly released software
improving the operation of your hardware (e.g., by improving battery life or optimizing performance speed)
improving the lifespan of your hardware by increasing its maximum productivity.

Who are patches intended for?

Users who already have a software license with the same revision number as the new release are automatically offered the patch. For example, if you have version 1 of certain software, you can download the patch for free when version 1.1 is released.

A patch does not change the functionality of your application itself but addresses errors or vulnerabilities in terms of security. There are multiple updates for a particular software version, and they are often executed automatically in the background. So you don’t have to do anything yourself.

What is the difference between a patch and an upgrade?

Unlike a patch, an upgrade is a completely new version of the software. Its purpose is to introduce new features and functionalities that improve the software. So what changes after an upgrade? For example, the software can:

have a different design and thus look better,
be more user-friendly,
offer more capabilities.

With an upgrade, your software remains aligned with the latest new technology and ensures that it remains compatible with new systems. So the old system transforms to a more recent version.

Upgrades are not available for free like a patch or update. To carry out an upgrade, as a user, you have to purchase a license for the newer version of the software. In the case of an upgrade, the main revision number of the software will also differ. For example, if you have version 1, the upgrade will change the main revision number to 2. Think of an upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11. While a patch involves a minor revision of the software, an upgrade involves a complete overhaul.

Patch management: crucial for your ICT strategy

Are you unfamiliar with the concept of patching? It’s crucial to understand that leaving systems unpatched exposes your network to significant security risks. But how can you effectively incorporate patching into your security approach?

Every day, your IT team deals with a multitude of patches that require downloading and testing to stay up-to-date. Testing is important: it determines whether these patches align seamlessly with your existing IT infrastructure. However, it certainly does not have to be a full-time job. Many vulnerabilities can be relatively quickly addressed with a good patching strategy. You can proactively manage the patches and updates by automating their collection, analysis, and execution using one software system. This patch management software provides a centralized platform, giving you full control over the entire patching process.

The benefits of a software system for patch management:

You automatically get an overview of all connected devices and software within your network.
The software easily scans your devices for missing patches.
Patches are executed quickly and efficiently.
Your dashboard provides a clear overview of the status of your patches.
You receive detailed reports.

Managed operations for support

It is not an option for every IT team to closely monitor all these matters. Unfortunately, this results in your IT infrastructure being unreliable and insecure. Managed operations is a service where an external IT partner provides support to your IT team. This partner may manage either all or part of your IT infrastructure.

Do you want to discover more about our Managed Operations? Check out our webpage about our Managed Operations.

Conclusion

If you are interested in enhancing the security of your IT infrastructure through effective patch management, do not hesitate to contact us. Our team is ready to assist you in implementing a tailored solution to meet your needs. Reach out to us to take the first step towards a more secure future for your business.