We’ve probably all seen an organization that has everything locked down from a security perspective. Their router configs are solid, firewall reviews are done regularly, and yet, the organization is somehow compromised.

So how is it that with all this perimeter security and training against social engineering, some organizations end up with malicious malware or even ransomware on their network?

When developers create software, they might unintentionally leave weaknesses that hackers could exploit. Think of it as leaving a back door unlocked. Patching is the process of releasing updates or "patches" to fix these vulnerabilities and strengthen the software's defenses.

Without regular patching, your software becomes an easy target for cyberattacks. Once a vulnerability is discovered, hackers can exploit it to gain unauthorized access, steal information, or disrupt services. It's like leaving a trail of breadcrumbs right to your digital doorstep.

The responsibility for patching varies depending on the context. For individual users, it often falls on you to keep your operating system, applications, and antivirus software up to date. For larger organizations, especially those with extensive IT infrastructures, there are dedicated IT teams or administrators responsible for managing and applying patches across various systems.

In essence, patching is a collective effort to keep your digital world healthy and secure.

So, at a glance, this seems straightforward.  Someone applies the patches, and you’re safe from any vulnerabilities.

But wait, this is where the process can break down.  Patching, just like Payroll, it’s an ongoing initiative. The difference is that when Payroll is missed or wrong, everyone knows about it right away.

When an organization fails to deploy the proper patches, they might not know until a hacker runs an exploit.