Patch Management Software Gives Security Choices For Today

Large corporations as well as small businesses have begun to turn to automated patch management software for security and updates. The average user has become used to the security updates and fixes and businesses have much more to secure against. The frequent patches and additions to the Windows operating system has accustomed the consumer to the need for fixes on a regular basis.

 

A computer user in a home environment will often allow Windows to automatically search for, and apply patches or security packs on an automatic basis. In the corporate or business environment, the same is true, however there are additional programs running that must also be fixed in order to ensure a system is up to date and secure. Taking the time to research and assess each program on each machine could be a task that consumed labor and expense for businesses prior to the introduction of patch software.

 

However the software patch management programs have taken much of the burden off the workforce and allow these operations to be configured and executed automatically. Whether a company has two machines or an entire network of machines spanning the nation, the need is the same, to keep up to date. While formerly one or more employees might be dedicated strictly to updating and securing all the machines in a location, new software programs have freed them for more profitable duties.

 

This type of software will utilize a console usually on a single machine of a network. That console can control what fixes or patches are scanned for and how the patches are deployed throughout the system. Included in these software consoles are options also specify which from which sites a patch should be downloaded. Some management software companies maintain their own database of patches and fixes.

 

Not every machine on a large network will have identical software installed. These machines all may be used for different purposes and this influences what programs are installed. Patch management programs for businesses are able to scan each machine and identify what programs are present and may need patches as opposed to simply applying a set number of fixes or patches to all machines regardless of content.

 

There are generally two types of management software for patches. The first type is an agent based management solution. Management programs that use the agent have a program installed on each machine, which performs a scan of the machine. This agent then downloads and installs necessary fixes and then sends a message to the central machine concerning what programs are installed and updated.

 

Agentless management programs on the other hand are centralized. The main machine performs all the scans upon the network and initiates the actions to patch. While agentless software is certainly more centrally configurable and permits closer monitoring of network machines than an agent based option. The cost for these programs will be higher than that of the agent based solutions. They also will require more supervision than those with agents.

 

These alternatives have cut the cost of maintaining some security aspects of a large network. It has become popular even among home users. However, a business should consider their available bandwidth, work force, and corporate needs before deciding upon particular management program, since the differences are so striking.