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Applicable For Endpoint Central MSP 
 
 

Patch Management

Patch management is the process of acquiring, testing, and deploying updates—known as patches—to software applications, operating systems, and firmware. These patches are released by vendors to fix bugs, address security vulnerabilities, improve performance, or introduce new features. Effective patch management ensures that all systems in an organization stay up-to-date and secure, minimizing risks such as system crashes, malware infections, or performance degradation. It also helps maintain software reliability and reduces the workload of IT teams by automating routine update tasks. With a powerful and scalable patch management system, Endpoint Central streamlines the entire patching lifecycle—from detection to deployment—across Windows, macOS, and Linux endpoints. It minimizes downtime, reduces manual effort, and enhances overall IT productivity by automating routine patching tasks. Using Endpoint Central, you can:

Perform Patch Detection and Deployment

  • Patch Scanning: Endpoint Central agents will automatically scan the computers to check if the newly available patches are missing. You can also initiate on-demand manual scanning if needed.
  • Patch Deployment Policies: Define flexible deployment policies to control when and how patches are installed, including maintenance windows, reboot behavior, and retry configurations.
  • Manual Patch Deployment: Manual Deployment in Endpoint Central lets you decide exactly which patches to deploy, when to deploy them, and to which systems—giving you full flexibility and control. This is especially useful when dealing with systems that are critical to business operations, such as production servers or machines that cannot afford unplanned downtime.
  • Patch Management for Closed Networks: Patch air-gapped or isolated networks by exporting patches from an internet-connected environment and importing them into secured, offline systems.
  • Decline Patches: Exclude specific patches or applications to prevent compatibility issues or unnecessary updates, maintaining system stability across the organization.
  • Self-Service Portal: Enable users to install IT-approved patches at their convenience through a self-service portal, reducing IT overhead and promoting user-driven compliance.

Automate Patch Management for Seamless Updates

  • Test Patches and Approve: Implement automated staged testing and approval processes for newly detected patches to prevent disruption in production environments.
  • Automatic Patch Deployment (APD): Fully automate the detection, testing, approval, and deployment of patches, minimizing the vulnerability window and maintaining a strong security posture. Refer to this page to know more about best practices to automate your patching processes.
  • Patch Deployment Troubleshooting: Access detailed logs and error reports to troubleshoot and quickly resolve deployment failures.

Manage Linux Patch Updates Efficiently

  • Linux Patch Deployment: Automate patch management across major Linux distributions like Ubuntu, CentOS, and Debian.
  • Red Hat Linux Patching: Manage critical updates, kernel patches, and security fixes for Red Hat Enterprise Linux systems using authenticated Red Hat subscription management.

Update BIOS and Drivers to Improve Endpoint Stability

  • BIOS and Driver Updates: Detect outdated BIOS firmware and drivers, and automate updates to improve system reliability, performance, and close hardware-level vulnerabilities.

Monitor Patch Compliance and Generate Insightful Reports

  • Executive Summary Reports: View high-level patch compliance metrics, vulnerabilities remediated, and systems at risk, helping demonstrate effectiveness to leadership and auditors.
  • Predefined Reports: Leverage built-in templates for tracking patch and compliance status. Generate Patch, System, SSP, and APD reports and access them via the product console and export them whenever you need.
  • Scheduled Reports: Automate report generation and email delivery, providing consistent updates on patching activities and compliance.
  • Attention Required Section: Highlight systems with failed patch deployments or pending reboots, enabling administrators to prioritize urgent remediation efforts effectively.

To know about supported applications for patching, refer to this page.

If you have any further questions, please refer to our Frequently Asked Questions section for more information.