TL;DR: To build a patch management plan, start by documenting your hardware, software, and operating systems. Then assign responsibilities, define patching policies, choose a deployment tool, test patches, deploy updates in stages, monitor results, and review the process regularly.
A patch management plan is a repeatable process for identifying, prioritizing, testing, deploying, and monitoring software updates across your environment. For IT teams, a strong patch management plan reduces security risk, limits downtime, and keeps endpoint patching consistent.
NIST SP 800-40 Rev. 4 lays out best practices for enterprise patch management. It’s a great read, and we strongly recommend it. But if you’re looking for something a little easier to skim while you fixate on your screen to avoid human contact, we got you. We’ll break down the steps to build a patch management plan that works for your environment.
1. Inventory your hardware, software, and operating systems
An accurate asset inventory is the foundation of an effective patch management plan (and any information technology project, really). Document hardware, software, operating systems, asset criticality, and vulnerability exposure so you can prioritize critical systems, which may come in particularly handy during incident response.
Asset management is an ongoing process. Doing it the old-fashioned way (with spreadsheets and existential dread) makes it nearly impossible to keep your inventory current. PDQ automates the process by collecting real-time device data for you to peruse at your leisure.
2. Assign patch management roles and responsibilities
Even the best-laid plan won’t go well if no one knows who is in charge. That’s why you need to assign responsibilities upfront so that everyone understands their roles. You should also train relevant team members in your patch management policy and procedures to make sure they really know what they’re doing. In some cases, you may also need to educate users to get them on board. Flubs can cost big bucks, so it never hurts to confirm that your team runs like a well-oiled machine.
3. Define your patch management policy
A patch management policy defines how your organization identifies, prioritizes, tests, deploys, and verifies patches. Documenting these procedures makes the patch management process repeatable, even if key players are OOO, MIA, or AOTJ, asleep on the job, obviously. Remember that one missing patch can spell disaster, so now is not the time to cut corners.
We’ll include a patch management template at the end of this article. But first, let’s discuss three key security patch management policy components: Risk response scenarios, maintenance groups, and rollback plans.
Define risk response scenarios
Risk response scenarios help IT teams decide how quickly to patch and what to do when a patch is risky, unavailable, or unsupported. Build separate procedures for these common scenarios:
Routine patching: Most patches come out on a regular release schedule. While you should aim to stay on top of them, they’re usually less urgent.
Emergency patching: Severe and actively exploited vulnerabilities require immediate action. We’re talking chug-the-breakroom-coffee-pot-level urgency.
Emergency mitigation: If an emergency patch is flawed or unavailable, you may need to mitigate known vulnerabilities.
Unsupported devices and software: An asset may be unpatchable if it’s no longer supported (and therefore doesn’t receive security patches or software updates) or if it needs to run uninterrupted. Legacy system vulnerability remediation requires careful security risk management.
Determine maintenance groups
Leveraging your inventory, classify assets into distinct groups with similar maintenance needs, such as the operating system, software in need of patching, and the outage restrictions. Alternatively, you can organize maintenance groups based on the personnel role or asset importance.
Once you’ve determined your maintenance groups, define their plans and patching schedules separately for each relevant risk response scenario, detailing timelines, actions, and how to decide which plan to use (and when to switch between plans).
Set rollback plans
If a software patch hurts business operations, you should be prepared to roll it back if necessary. Identify scenarios that necessitate a rollback and develop a step-by-step procedure for doing so.
4. Choose a patch management tool
A patch management tool helps IT teams automate deployments, track patch status, verify results, and report on compliance across their environment. Attempting to execute your new patch management plan without a high-quality patch manager is like trying to chop onions with your fingernails: painful, time consuming, and certain to induce tears.
Luckily, there are patch management solutions built for virtually any environment and organizational need. Invest some time in assessing your patch management software options, taking advantage of free trials, and participating in demos.
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5. Test patches before deployment
While you should have a rollback plan in place, testing software packages before deploying them can reduce the chances that you’ll need to use it. Setting up a test environment and testing patches based on risk, business impact, and deployment scope can help prevent disasters in your production environment.
6. Deploy patches in stages
It’s the moment you’ve all been waiting for: patch deployment! This might seem like an obvious step to include in your plan, but there are a few caveats to include:
Automate routine deployments where possible.
Test patches in staging or on a small pilot group.
Expand deployment to larger maintenance groups after validation.
Schedule deployments to minimize end-user disruption.
These tips can keep both your security team and users happy and productive.
7. Monitor patch status and report results
After deployment, monitor patch status to confirm updates installed successfully and systems remain stable. While you can trust PDQ with your patching (and secrets — we’re cool like that), verification is still one of the patch management best practices. We don’t make the rules.
But beyond just doing the right thing, monitoring and reporting can reap huge benefits. Monitoring and reporting help you detect failed, missing, or problematic patches; verify compliance; and give stakeholders proof that patching is working.
8. Review and improve your patch management process
Even the most seasoned sysadmin is unlikely to craft a perfect patch management plan right out of the gate. The trick is continuously learning from your experiences with your patching process, monitoring changes in the security landscape, and revising your patch and vulnerability management plans as necessary. Consider it the IT equivalent of continuing to work out once you’re already swole.
Regular vulnerability scanning — and where appropriate, penetration testing — proactively locates security vulnerabilities in need of patching or mitigation. Incorporating them in your patch management plan helps you address vulnerabilities before they become big problems.
Patch management plan FAQs
What is a patch management plan?
A patch management plan details the specific processes for patch installation, including keeping track of any relevant vulnerability disclosure, patch release, or Windows Update; testing relevant patches; and deploying them. The overarching goal is efficient patch installation that enhances endpoint protection.
What should a patch management plan include?
A patch management plan should include asset inventory, patch prioritization rules, team responsibilities, testing procedures, deployment schedules, rollback steps, monitoring, reporting, and regular review cycles.
What is a patch management policy?
A patch management policy documents the standards and guidelines for your patch management process. It sounds a lot like a patch management plan, right? That's because it kind of is. But it's a slightly higher level overview. If you look at a patch management plan as a blueprint for a building, then a patch management policy is the building code that specifies the overall requirements.
Why do you need a patch management plan and policy?
You need a patch management plan and policy to establish an organized, consistent approach that reduces risks, protects against data breaches and other cyberattacks, and meets regulatory requirements.
How do I get a patch management policy?
The best approach is usually to have a security team member who is knowledgeable about cybersecurity best practices and your environment draft an appropriate policy that works for your company. However, policy templates are also widely available for a nominal fee. Or just scroll down to our free patch management policy template below and start customizing it for your environment.
How do I prioritize patches?
Prioritize patches based on vulnerability severity, known exploitation, CISA KEV status, internet exposure, asset criticality, exploit automation, technical impact, and business impact. Emergency patches should move faster than routine updates, especially when exploitation is active or the affected system is publicly exposed.
Can patch management be done manually?
Patch management can be done manually, but manual workflows are harder to scale and more likely to miss updates. Automated patch management tools help IT teams deploy, verify, and report on patches more consistently.
A high-quality tool can help you ensure your automated patch management goes off without a hitch. PDQ is a cloud-based patch management solution for your remote or on-prem machines. Take advantage of a free trial to see how it can support your patch management plan.
Sample patch management policy template
[Please note that this template serves only as a starting point. You can customize it to suit your organization's specific patch management requirements, processes, and policies.]
[Your organization's name] patch management policy
1. Overview
This patch management policy outlines the procedures and guidelines for effectively managing software patches within [your organization's name]. Patch management is a critical component of our cybersecurity strategy. It aims to reduce security risks, enhance system reliability, and ensure infrastructure stability.
2. Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to establish a structured approach to identify, assess, prioritize, test, and deploy software patches. By adhering to this plan, we aim to promptly address vulnerabilities, minimize security threats, and protect digital assets from unauthorized access.
3. Scope
This policy applies to all software, applications, operating systems, and devices used within [your organization's name], including on-premises and remote systems, as well as mobile devices used for work-related purposes. It also includes all employees, contractors, and third-party vendors with access to organizational systems.
4. Policy
4.1 Patch identification and prioritization
[Specify your methods for identifying patches, such as automated scanning tools and vendor advisories. Describe the criteria for prioritizing patches based on feasibility, severity, criticality, and potential impact.]
4.2 Patch testing and approval
[Describe your procedures for testing patches in a controlled environment. Include the process for obtaining approvals from relevant stakeholders before deployment, particularly with regard to change management in production systems.]
4.3 Patch deployment
[Explain the methods for deploying patches, including scheduled maintenance windows, automated deployment tools, and tracking mechanisms.]
4.4 Rollback plan
[Outline a contingency plan for rolling back patches if unexpected issues or adverse effects arise. Emphasize why this is important.]
4.5 Patch monitoring and reporting
[Describe the process for monitoring systems after patch deployment to ensure effectiveness and stability.]
5. Policy compliance
5.1 Responsibilities
[Specify the roles and responsibilities of those involved in the patch management process.]
5.2 Training and awareness
[Detail initiatives to educate employees about the importance of patch management and their roles in maintaining a secure IT environment.]
5.3 Review and revision
[Outline the frequency and process for reviewing the patch management policy for continued improvement.]
5.4 Noncompliance
[Explain the consequences of failure to comply with the policy statement, including potential security concerns, disciplinary action, or additional security measures.]
By following this patch management policy, [your organization's name] commits to maintaining a secure, reliable, and resilient IT infrastructure that protects our assets and supports our business operations.
[Your organization's name]
[Date]
