How to Implement a Patch Management Policy in Your Company (and Automate It with Heimdal Security)
In today’s landscape of growing cybersecurity threats, implementing a patch management policy is no longer optional — it’s essential. Timely software patching is one of the most effective ways to prevent ransomware, malware, and unauthorized access.
In this guide, we walk you through the steps to build a strong patch management strategy and how to automate the process with Heimdal Security, a global leader in enterprise cybersecurity.
What is a Patch Management Policy?
A patch management policy is a formal set of rules that define how your organization handles system and application updates. It helps ensure all devices are protected against known vulnerabilities.
It typically includes:
- Which systems and applications to update.
- How often patches should be applied.
- Who is responsible for the process.
How compliance is monitored.
Step 1: Create an Inventory of Your IT Assets
Before you patch anything, know what you’re working with:
- Operating systems (Windows, Linux, etc.).
- Third-party apps (Chrome, Zoom, Adobe, etc.).
- Endpoints, laptops, servers, mobile devices.
🔧 Heimdal Patch & Asset Management automatically discovers and updates your inventory in real time.
Step 2: Categorize Systems by Risk Level
Not all systems require the same urgency. Classify them as:
- Critical: servers, admin workstations, accounting systems.
- Medium: general desktops and laptops.
- Low: test machines or offline systems.
This prioritization helps ensure high-risk systems are patched first.
Step 3: Define a Patch Schedule
Set up a patching timeline:
- Critical security updates: within 24–48 hours.
- Non-critical patches: weekly or monthly.
- Testing: always test patches in a safe environment before mass deployment.
🕒 Heimdal lets you schedule patch deployments and apply them silently outside of business hours.
Step 4: Automate the Entire Workflow
Automation saves time and reduces human error. With Heimdal, you can:
- Detect available patches.
- Apply them automatically based on custom policies.
- Monitor deployment status with detailed reports.
- Integrate with antivirus, firewall, and other tools.
💡 This means your IT team can stay productive while reducing attack surfaces.
Step 5: Assign Roles and Approval Flows
Clearly define responsibilities:
- Who approves updates?
- Who performs tests?
- Who reviews the results?
Larger companies may need a dedicated cybersecurity officer or team to manage the entire patching lifecycle.
Step 6: Review and Audit Regularly
Policies must evolve. Periodic reviews are essential for keeping up with:
- New vulnerabilities.
- Changes in your IT environment.
- Regulatory requirements.
🔍 Heimdal provides real-time compliance reports to identify unpatched systems at a glance.
Final Thoughts: Heimdal Makes Patch Management Easy
Establishing a policy is crucial, but Heimdal Security takes it a step further by automating and simplifying the entire process. From asset discovery to patch deployment and compliance tracking — it’s all in one place.
Ready to streamline your patch management and boost your cybersecurity posture?
👉 Contact us for a free Heimdal Security demo today.
