How to automate patch management for IT teams

According to Ponemon Institute, IT teams spend an average of 240 hours per month on patch-related tasks. And as IT environments grow more complex, so do the number of applications in use and the volume of patches required.  

This uphill battle puts mounting pressure on IT teams to deploy more proactive, efficient, and scalable patch management strategies to protect their networks from vulnerability. Yet, Ponemon Institute reports that an average of just 31 percent of application patches are currently distributed using automation.  

Automated patch management transforms reactive, manual processes into streamlined operations by leveraging automation for the discovery, deployment, and verification of software updates. Embracing automation into your patch management strategy can dramatically reduce security risks while reclaiming countless hours previously lost to ad hoc manual patching.  

While automated patch management based on defined patching policies is a pillar of a strong security posture, it also plays a key role in building smoother, more efficient systems, streamlining your team operations and protecting end-users from unnecessary system downtime.  

Key takeaways

• Automated patch management reduces security vulnerabilities compared to manual approaches by improving policy compliance. 

• Implementing automation into your patch management processes can reclaim numerous hours for IT teams, allowing your team to focus on strategic initiatives versus repetitive tasks. 

• Automated patch management software allows IT teams to schedule predefined patch deployment times that align businesses operations and policies assigned to the devices. 

• Effective automation requires thoughtful implementation, including detailed asset inventory, policy development, testing protocols, and continuous monitoring to make sure patches deploy successfully.  

• Patch automation helps companies comply with industry standards and customer expectations. 

• When selecting an automated patch management solution, choose an option that offers granular policy controls, alerting, and in-depth reporting so you can maximize benefits.  

What is automated patch management?

Automated patch management solutions handle the entire patching lifecycle with minimal human intervention. Patch management software continuously scans your endpoints, identifying missing updates across operating systems and applications, prioritizing deployment against scheduling and patch type listed in policies, deploys patches during approved windows, and then monitors for deployment success or errors.  

Unlike traditional patch management approaches, where IT professionals are required to manually guide each update through discovery, testing, and deployment, automated patch solutions orchestrate the workflow through preset policies, leaving a human in the loop for approvals and remediation instead of relying on manual intervention for the entire process. 

Automated patch management delivers two core benefits: it closes possible security gaps quickly while freeing IT teams from time-consuming manual tasks. 

How automated patch management works

Modern remote monitoring and management (RMM) solutions use software to automate the patch management process, breaking it up into several key phases. 

Step 1: Discovery phase  

In this phase, the system continuously scans your network to identify all connected devices, applications, and operating systems that require updates.  

Step 2: Patch acquisition and testing  

Upon release, patches are automatically downloaded from vendor repositories and prepared for deployment. IT professionals leverage approval policies and ensure patches are tested and approved, preventing disruptions before full scheduled deployments take place. 

Step 3: Deployment and verification   

Updates are then deployed according to preset schedules and policies. Most IT teams choose maintenance windows that minimize business impact. Post-deployment scans confirm successful patch installation, with detailed alerting for remediation needs and reporting for compliance and auditing purposes.  

The most effective automated solutions are RMM tools capable of deploying patches from vendors on managed devices. This enables patch operations to flow effortlessly alongside other critical IT workflows. Integrated systems unlock powerful automation chains. For instance, missing patch detection and patch application history can give techs insights into possible issues with a device they’re working on, while patch scheduling can automate regular updates to reduce performance and security issues that lead to service requests from end-users. 

Limitations of conventional patch management

Traditional patch management approaches can come with a few drawbacks, undermining security and operational efficiencies.  

Time-intensive manual work  

Conventional patching generally requires IT teams to manually review, test, and deploy updates, often across thousands of endpoints and applications, and occasionally using multiple tools to cover all of their end-users' necessary applications. This labor-intensive process frequently results in patching backlogs and prioritization challenges.  

Inconsistent deployments  

Another limitation of manual patching is its reactivity. Patches are usually applied after a vulnerability has been discovered, leaving systems exposed for longer periods. This type of delay can create a window for cybercriminals. 

Faulty patches  

Untested patches can cause unintended problems on a device if not properly tested before deployment. For IT teams, the consequences of deploying faulty patches can lead to unexpected system crashes or essential application compatibility issues. With an automated patch management system, however, teams can take control of patching testing and approval policies to prevent untested patches from being applied to their managed devices. 

Benefits of automated patch management

Implementing an automated patch management solution delivers transformative advantages for IT teams, including: 

• Rapidly fix security weak spots: Exploiting vulnerabilities is one way many cybercriminals gain access to organizations. One well-known example is when an unpatched memory corruption vulnerability in Microsoft Office allowed cybercriminals to execute code remotely on devices. Speed is critical to preventing cybercriminals from gaining a foothold, and automated patch management software is a key part of an effective solution. Prompt patching significantly reduces the risk of outsiders gaining access to endpoints and devices.  

• Free up time for high-value tasks: The most immediate benefit for IT teams using automated patch management is liberation from time-draining tasks. A properly configured automation system can reduce the time constraints of patch-related labor, freeing up your technical specialists to build a more efficient workflow. 

• Increase system uptime: Automated patches improve system uptime and stability. By ensuring consistent, timely updates across your environment, automated patch management prevents compatibility issues that can arise when systems fall significantly behind on updates.  

• Avoid non-compliance complications: Automated systems maintain comprehensive records of all patch-related activities, generating reports. This helps demonstrate your commitment to security best practices, which can prove invaluable during everything from regulatory reviews and security assessments to device troubleshooting and customer quarterly business reviews 

• Support scalability: As your client base or organization grows, automated patching scales effortlessly, without unnecessary, expensive increases in IT workload.  

How to implement automated patch management

How should IT teams implement automated patch management? Transitioning to an automated approach requires thoughtful planning and execution. Here’s how to implement your new automated patch management software with success:  

Assess your current environment  

Begin with a comprehensive inventory of all devices, operating systems, and applications in your environment. Document any existing patch processes, identifying pain points and inefficiencies along the way. This baseline understanding will guide your automation strategy and help you measure success in the future.  

Develop clear patch policies  

Before implementing automated patch management software, establish clear policies that define the following:  

• What are your patch prioritization frameworks, based on vulnerability, severity, and business impact?  

• What testing protocols will you use for different update types?  

• What deployment windows will you choose to minimize operational disruption?  

• What are your exception handling procedures for navigating specialized systems or unique customer requirements?  

These questions will help you form a rulebook with clear policies for your automation system.  

Select the right automation tool  

Choose a patch management solution that aligns with your environment’s complexity and your team’s capabilities. Consider the following questions, and keep reading for more details on finding the right automation tool for your organization.  

• Does the tool offer coverage for your specific operating systems and applications?  

• Does the tool offer integration capabilities with any existing IT management tools? 

• Is it scalable to accommodate your company’s growth?  

• Does it offer reporting and documentation features to support effective troubleshooting and compliance requirements?  

RMM solutions come with additional functionalities that make them a good fit to align with all these needs. Download our RMM Buyer's Guide to discover advanced features offered by top-tier RMM solutions.

Implement proper testing protocols  

Even with automated tools, technical expertise involved in the testing and approval process is critical. Establish testing or sandbox environments where patches can be deployed before rolling out to all systems. Consider implementing phased deployments, where updates reach a smaller subset of systems before full distribution.  

Deploy with careful monitoring – and a backup plan 

Roll out your automation gradually, starting with lower-risk systems and expanding to critical infrastructure. Monitor patch success through alerting tools to address any issues swiftly. Always have a backup plan in place, including regular device backups and monitoring of backup success. This is your last line of defense and allows you to restore quickly if an update causes downtime or breaks a critical application. 

Establish verification mechanisms and continue to refine   

Lastly, implement a post-deployment verification process to confirm that all patches have been successfully applied. As you continue to leverage automated patch management systems, treat your implementation as an evolving process.  

Regularly review patch policies and compliance data, adjust your policy rulebook, and update your approach as your chosen patch management solution release new capabilities that could save your team even more time and money. With the right patch management system, you’ll save time and protect your customers’ environments as well as productivity. Download our eBook, Patch Management Best Practices, for in-depth information on how to set up your patch management system.  

What to look for in an automated patch management solution

If your organization is considering onboarding an automated patch management solution, consider these core features to make the right choice:  

• Support of your end-users technology stack, including OS (operating system) and necessary third-party applications 

• Advanced monitoring, scripting, and remote access capabilities to help your team tackle issues promptly as they arise and automate creative solutions for the future 

• Flexible patching policy configuration, automation, and end user notifications to boost compliance 

• Customizable, comprehensive reporting that provides data insights, giving you greater visibility for decision-making  

If you’re considering an automated patch management solution, leading RMM solutions (like ConnectWise RMM on the Asio platform) can help your team successfully automate patch management, saving hundreds of hours while keeping your customers productive and protected. 

ConnectWise RMM helps IT teams automate OS and third-party patch deployment, monitor policy compliance, and use real-time alerting and access to remediate issues quickly. Additionally, the ConnectWise NOC systematically tests all Windows OS security updates and provides their approval recommendations and research to our entire partner base so you can patch the most important updates with confidence and control.  

Ready to see these capabilities in action? Watch an on-demand demo today to explore how RMM software with automated patch management can help streamline your operations.