Patching & Updating

Patching & Updating

One of the easiest and cost-effective ways to secure computers is by fixing vulnerabilities before evil hackers have a chance to exploit them. By the end of this lesson, you’ll be able to describe the process and technique for applying computer patches and updates and determine patch levels for common systems/applications.

In cybersecurity a patch, meaning a software or code revision, is used to fix some type of issue, whether it’s with functionality, security or to add new features.

NIST Five-step patch management process:

1. Notification - Vendor announcement
2. Identification - Asset inventory
3. Deployment - Downloading to the local computer
4. Installation - Install on the computer
5. Verification - Confirm the patch is installed successfully

New terms

• Patch: A software or code revision, is used to fix some type of issue, whether it’s with functionality, security or to add new features

Source: https://csrc.nist.gov/glossary/

Further research

• NIST Glossary, Patch Management - https://csrc.nist.gov/glossary/term/patch_management