EXPLOIT WEDNESDAY
PATCH TUESDAY IS NOW FOLLOWED BY EXPLOIT WEDNESDAY
For years we were satisfied that within a couple of weeks after Patch-Tuesday the latest rounds of patches would go through deployment and stability testing then be applied to production systems in due time.
THIS WAS ACCEPTABLE UNTIL RECENTLY
Over recent months, using advanced reverse engineering technologies Advanced Persistent Threat organizations have been effectively using the patch releases for Microsoft Products against the very users of the products being patched. This significant change in posture is forcing organizations to shrink patch testing windows considerably and push more patches into production with less and less testing. While this of course is riskier behavior, security is always a balance of risk.
If you haven't reviewed your organizational patch management strategies recently it might be time to consider updating your policies. Automated Patch Deployment and Patch Testing systems are available to ensure organizations aren't unknowingly accepting risks that are completely avoidable. When was the last time you verified that all your servers and workstations were up to date. Have you verified that all patches were being applied to all needed software systems successfully, not every update can be applied using Windows Update.
IT SECURITY IS ABOUT DISPENSING WITH PRECONCEPTIONS AND BECOMING AWARE OF CHANGING REALITIES
Talk with ALT* about how our Managed Service Solutions can solidify your patch management strategies and help secure your business operations. We would be happy to review your systems and help evaluate and reduce your technology risks.
