Patch Management as a Service - Pmaas

Patch Management as a Service (PMaaS) is an outsourced solution where a third-party provider manages the end-to-end patching process for an organization. This approach is particularly beneficial for organizations that lack in-house resources or expertise to keep their systems consistently updated and secure. With PMaaS, a dedicated team or managed service provider (MSP) oversees the identification, testing, deployment, and monitoring of patches across all IT assets.

What is Patch Management as a Service?

Patch management is the process of identifying, acquiring, testing, deploying, and monitoring software updates (or “patches”) to address vulnerabilities, improve functionality, or fix bugs in applications, operating systems, and other digital assets. Effective patch management helps maintain security, performance, and stability within an organization’s IT environment.

Choosing a PMaaS Provider

When Selecting a Provider, Organizations Should Consider:

  • Security Standards and Compliance: Ensure the provider follows best practices for security and can meet specific industry compliance requirements.
  • Customization and Flexibility: Look for a provider who can tailor patching policies and schedules to align with organizational needs and minimize disruptions.
  • Reputation and References: Evaluate the provider’s reputation, expertise, and client feedback to ensure they can deliver high-quality patch management services.
  • Cost and Value: Consider the pricing structure—whether it’s subscription-based, per-device, or usage-based—and ensure the cost aligns with the value provided by the service.
  • Integration with Existing IT Systems: Check if the PMaaS provider’s tools are compatible with the organization’s existing infrastructure and can integrate with other IT systems or security tools.
Choosing a PMaaS Provider

Clients we work with for Patch Management as a Service

Happy customers? Check!

As our IT support team, Infodot is quite reliable. No matter the size of the issue, we know that when we call or email, we will get a response back from your team. Your commitment to customer service is highly appreciated. Infodot has helped solve a lot of day-to-day IT challenges that were previously creating bottlenecks for us.

Laxmy Nair

Operation Head

“As an early stage start-up, the engineering team was fully focussed on our cloud infrastructure and we lacked time and skill to manage office IT infrastructure. This created many bottlenecks for us – unreliable office internet connectivity, unnecessary expenditures due to lack of regular maintenance etc. Once Infodot took up the upkeep of our office IT infrastructure, we could immediately recognize the value they brought in. New internet connectivity architecture was proposed and implemented by Infodot first. It really helped solving our office internet connectivity issues and made our office network more secure. As a co-founder, I also would like to mention that they are accommodative and they understand an early stage start-up’s financial constraints. We are happy with their services and would definitely recommend them.”

Jinaraj P G

Co-Founder and CTO
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Key Features of a Good PMaaS Provider

Automated and Regular Patching

Ability to perform automated patch scans and deployments to reduce manual efforts and errors.

Providers should have access to updated threat intelligence to prioritize patching for critical vulnerabilities.

The service should be scalable to support growing IT environments or specific needs, whether the organization is a small business or a large enterprise.

Detailed reports on patch compliance, system vulnerabilities, and patching history for auditing and compliance purposes.

A good PMaaS provider prioritizes patches based on the threat level, business impact, and the organization’s unique risk profile.

Reliable SLAs that guarantee response times, patching frequencies, and ongoing support to meet the organization’s needs.

Automated and Regular Patching

1. Assessment and Onboarding

  • The PMaaS provider begins by assessing the organization’s existing infrastructure, software, and patch management requirements.
  • They identify all assets, including operating systems, applications, servers, and devices, to understand the patching needs.
  • Next, they onboard the organization’s systems to their management platform, configuring scanning, deployment policies, and other settings tailored to the client’s environment.

2. Continuous Monitoring and Patch Detection

  • The provider continually monitors for new vulnerabilities and patches released by vendors.
  • They use automated tools to scan the organization’s systems regularly, identifying which patches are missing and prioritizing based on severity and relevance.

3. Testing and Validation

  • Before rolling out patches, the provider tests them in a controlled environment to check for compatibility issues or adverse effects.
  • This helps prevent any disruption to production systems due to unforeseen issues with a patch.

4. Patch Deployment

  • The provider deploys patches across systems according to a pre-defined schedule or based on the urgency of each patch.
  • They often perform phased deployments to limit potential issues and monitor systems closely as patches are applied.

5. Verification and Reporting

  • Post-deployment, the provider verifies that patches have been applied successfully and checks for any system issues.
  • Detailed reports on patch status, vulnerabilities addressed, compliance status, and any encountered issues are generated for the organization.

6. Ongoing Maintenance and Support

  • The PMaaS provider continues to monitor systems, address any issues that arise, and apply patches as new vulnerabilities are discovered.
  • They also maintain documentation for compliance and review purposes.
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  • Improved Security: Protects against cyber threats by closing vulnerabilities that hackers could exploit.
  • Enhanced Stability and Performance: Fixes software bugs and may include performance improvements.
  • Regulatory Compliance: Many industries have compliance requirements that mandate timely patching of software to protect sensitive data.
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1. Expertise and Resources

PMaaS providers have specialized expertise, access to advanced tools, and dedicated teams focused solely on managing patches. This ensures timely patching without overburdening the internal IT team.

2. Enhanced Security

By staying on top of the latest security patches, PMaaS helps reduce the attack surface and protect against cyber threats. Providers often have access to threat intelligence, allowing them to respond quickly to critical vulnerabilities.

3. Compliance and Reporting

PMaaS providers typically maintain extensive logs and documentation of patching activities, aiding in compliance with regulations like HIPAA, GDPR, or PCI-DSS. Reports on patch status, compliance, and vulnerabilities are usually available to clients for audits and reviews.

4. Cost Efficiency

Outsourcing patch management can be more cost-effective than hiring and training an in-house team. PMaaS allows organizations to pay for patching as a service, reducing the need for upfront investment in patch management tools and personnel.

5. 24/7 Monitoring and Support

Many PMaaS providers offer round-the-clock monitoring and support, ensuring critical patches can be applied quickly, even outside normal business hours.

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  • Set Clear Objectives and SLAs: Define clear expectations and Service Level Agreements (SLAs) with the provider to ensure timely patching and reporting.
  • Establish Communication Channels: Maintain regular communication with the provider to stay updated on patching schedules, potential issues, and reporting.
  • Coordinate with IT Security: Ensure alignment between the provider and in-house IT security teams to manage critical vulnerabilities, incident response, and any emergency patching needs.
  • Regularly Review Service Performance: Periodically review the service to ensure it meets expectations and contributes to the overall cybersecurity strategy.
  • Evaluate Continuously: Continuously evaluate the PMaaS provider’s effectiveness, making adjustments as the organization’s needs evolve.
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Breakdown of Key Steps in Patch Management

1. Identification and Prioritization

  • Identify Patches: Regularly scan software and systems to identify available patches from software vendors and security advisories.
  • Prioritize Patches: Evaluate the importance of each patch based on factors such as criticality, potential impact, and relevance to the organization. High-risk patches are usually prioritized due to their potential security implications.

2. Testing

  • Before deploying patches organization-wide, they should be tested in a controlled environment to ensure they don’t cause issues, incompatibilities, or unexpected downtime.
  • Testing helps prevent problems that could disrupt business operations and ensures patches will function as expected once deployed.

3. Deployment

  • After successful testing, patches are deployed across the organization’s systems.
  • Deployment should be organized to minimize downtime and user disruption, often involving phased rollouts for larger organizations.

4. Verification and Monitoring

  • Once patches are deployed, verify that they have been applied successfully and monitor for any issues that may arise post-deployment.
  • Regularly review logs and reports to ensure patches remain effective and that there are no residual vulnerabilities.

5. Documentation and Reporting

  • Document all stages of the patch management process for auditing purposes and compliance.
  • Reporting also helps track the status of patches and provides data to assess and improve the patch management strategy.
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All Services from Infodot

Infodot provides a comprehensive range of IT services, including co-managed support, cybersecurity, cloud solutions, and IT consultancy, designed to optimize your business operations.

Co managed IT Support & Services approach where a business organisation shares its responsibilities to
Comprehensive IT management services to ensure your business systems run smoothly and efficiently.
Ensure your IT infrastructure aligns with industry standards and regulatory requirements through audits and compliance
Secure and reliable data backup solutions, both in the cloud and on-site, to safeguard your
Advanced protection for your networks, safeguarding against cyber threats, malware, and unauthorized access.
Expert advice and strategies to optimize your IT infrastructure and align technology with your business
Seamless migration services for cloud platforms, email, and servers, ensuring minimal disruption and maximum efficiency.
Responsive IT support to resolve technical issues, ensuring smooth operations and minimizing downtime.
Monitor, manage, and support your IT systems remotely to ensure optimal performance and reliability.
Flexible and scalable IT support tailored to adapt to your business needs, accessible anytime, anywhere.

Book Intro Call

Let’s schedule an introductory call to explore how effective patch management can enhance your system security and streamline updates. Looking forward to assisting you.

Here are FAQs for Infodot's Patch Management as a Service

What is Patch Management as a Service?

Patch Management as a Service is an outsourced solution where a third-party provider manages and automates the patching process for an organization’s IT infrastructure. This includes identifying, testing, and deploying patches for operating systems, applications, and other software to ensure security vulnerabilities are addressed and systems are up-to-date.

Patch management is crucial for cybersecurity because unpatched software is one of the main entry points for cyberattacks. Regular patching helps protect against known vulnerabilities that hackers might exploit. Staying updated reduces the risk of data breaches, malware, and ransomware attacks.

The frequency of patch deployment depends on the organization’s needs and the criticality of the patches. Typically, critical security patches are applied as soon as possible, while routine patches are scheduled monthly or quarterly. Patch Management as a Service providers often tailor schedules to fit an organization’s risk tolerance and business requirements.

In some cases, patching may require system reboots or short downtime, especially for critical updates. However, Patch Management as a Service providers work to minimize impact by scheduling patches during low-usage hours or using techniques like staggered deployment. They also test patches to ensure compatibility and reduce the chance of system disruptions.

An effective patch management service should provide regular reports on patch status, compliance levels, and any issues encountered during deployment. Additionally, look for a provider that monitors patch success rates, provides timely updates on critical vulnerabilities, and offers support for troubleshooting any post-patch issues. Transparency and clear communication are key indicators of an effective service.