What is automated patching?

Automated patch management addresses a critical security gap in modern IT operations. Threat actors can exploit over 78,000 known vulnerabilities to attack systems. Organizations handle an average of 497 cyberattacks weekly, with more than 11,000 medium- to high-severity vulnerabilities discovered in 2022 alone. The most troubling statistic: 57% of cyberattack victims say their breaches could have been prevented with proper patching.

Manual patching creates bottlenecks for IT teams. Research shows 71% of IT and security professionals consider patching overly complex, cumbersome, and time-consuming. Automated patching solves this problem. This approach handles the complete update cycle—scanning, downloading, testing, and deployment—without constant manual oversight.

This article covers what automated patch management does, how the process works, and why it matters for IT security teams.

What is automated patching?

Computer security updates fix vulnerabilities in software and operating systems. Organizations have moved from manual patching to automated systems that handle updates without constant IT oversight.

Definition and core concept

How it differs from manual patching

Manual patching means IT staff check each system individually, download updates, and install them one by one. This approach creates delays and increases the chance of missing critical updates.

Automated systems handle the entire process:

Manual methods create patching backlogs as IT teams struggle to keep up with update volumes. Systems stay vulnerable longer because manual processes react to threats after discovery.

Why it matters in modern IT environments

Security breaches often exploit unpatched software vulnerabilities. Automated patch management closes these security gaps across different platforms and systems. Quick patch deployment prevents attackers from exploiting known flaws.

Automated patching also improves system stability. Unpatched systems crash more often and suffer more malware infections. Regular patching reduces downtime and keeps employees productive.

Efficiency gains are substantial. Organizations report saving up to 50% of IT staff time with automated patch management. Teams can focus on strategic projects instead of routine maintenance tasks.

Compliance requirements make automated patching essential. Regulations increasingly require businesses to maintain current patch levels. Automated systems provide the documentation and consistency needed to meet these standards.

How does automated patch management work?

Automated patch management systems follow a six-step workflow. Each step builds on the previous one to keep systems secure without overwhelming IT teams.

1. Scanning for missing patches

The process starts with network-wide scanning. Automated tools like Patch Manager Plus examine every endpoint—desktops, servers, virtual machines, and remote devices—to find missing updates and outdated software configurations. Manual methods often miss systems, but automated scanning covers your entire environment.

These scans check your systems against vulnerability databases to identify specific security gaps. Scanning runs on schedules or on-demand, depending on your policies. The result: a complete security status view in one centralized dashboard.

2. Prioritizing based on severity

After finding vulnerabilities, the system determines which patches need immediate attention. Modern solutions prioritize updates using several criteria:

• CVSS (Common Vulnerability Scoring System) scores from 0.0 to 10.0
• Exploitation level and attack potential
• Asset criticality in your environment
• Existing mitigating controls

3. Downloading patches from vendors

The system retrieves necessary updates directly from vendors after identifying and prioritizing missing patches. This eliminates manual checking of multiple vendor websites.

Windows updates come from Microsoft's Windows Server Update Services (WSUS). Linux and macOS patches download from their respective vendor repositories. Third-party patches for Adobe, Java, Firefox, and similar applications often get pre-tested and stored in the patch management tool's repository.

4. Creating deployment packages

Before deployment, systems assemble all necessary components into packages. These contain files, commands, prerequisites, and post-installation steps for successful installation.

Testing happens first—patches deploy in controlled environments that mirror production settings to catch potential conflicts or issues. This prevents problematic updates from disrupting business operations. Patches can be approved manually or automatically based on your configuration.

5. Scheduling and deploying patches

Deployment scheduling offers significant value in automated patch management. Systems apply updates according to defined policies:

• Maintenance windows to minimize business disruption
• Gradual rollouts to limit potential impact
• Device prioritization based on business criticality
• User notification options and deferral capabilities

Patch Manager Plus include's wake-on-LAN functionality to power up offline computers before deployment and can force critical updates when necessary. Some systems download patches to client machines during refresh cycles, preparing for installation before the scheduled deployment window.

6. Reporting and compliance tracking

The final step tracks and documents the entire patching process. Automated solutions generate detailed reports showing successful installations, failed updates, and overall compliance status.

These reports serve multiple functions:

• Demonstrating regulatory compliance during audits
• Identifying systems requiring attention
• Tracking vulnerability remediation progress
• Communicating risk status to executives

Real-time dashboards show your security posture, while scheduled reports automatically reach stakeholders who need this information. Organizations in regulated industries find these reporting capabilities especially valuable for demonstrating due diligence.

Benefits of patch management automation

Automated patching delivers measurable improvements over manual processes. Organizations gain concrete advantages that go beyond basic convenience.

Reduces human error

Automated patching eliminates common mistakes that happen during manual processes. Even experienced IT professionals make errors when handling repetitive tasks across hundreds of systems. These mistakes include:

• Skipping systems during patching cycles
• Missing failed update notifications
• Pushing incorrect software versions

Automation removes these problems. Automated systems don't depend on human input, eliminating errors that can compromise network security. Organizations get consistent security implementations without the unpredictability of manual operations.

Improves security posture

Security improvement is the strongest case for automated patching. Organizations using automated patch management report significantly shorter response times to vulnerabilities—56% of organizations see marked improvements.

Automated solutions close the attack window by up to 80% compared to other approaches. This speed matters when 57% of cyberattack victims say their breaches could have been prevented with proper patching.

Automated patching protects systems by:

• Rapidly identifying and deploying critical updates
• Minimizing vulnerability exposure windows
• Providing consistent protection across diverse environments
• Enabling proactive defense against emerging threats

Saves time and resources

Automated patch management creates direct financial benefits. Organizations implementing automated solutions have reclaimed up to 50% of a full-time employee's time.

This recovered productivity lets IT teams focus on strategic initiatives instead of routine maintenance tasks. Since 71% of IT and security professionals find patching overly complex and time-consuming, automated solutions handle this complexity automatically.

Automated patching has achieved USD 6.00M in cost savings for an enterprise company with 25K servers. These financial benefits come from reduced downtime, fewer emergency patching sessions, and better resource allocation.

Ensures compliance with standards

Regulatory compliance requirements demand up-to-date systems across industries. Automated patch management simplifies this obligation through several mechanisms:

• Documented diligence: Automated systems store all patching activities, creating audit trails that demonstrate security due diligence
• Real-time reporting: Dashboards provide visibility into patch status, helping organizations meet internal governance requirements
• Compliance tracking: Automated solutions have increased patching compliance ratings from 65% to 99% in some organizations

For businesses subject to regulations like HIPAA, PCI-DSS, and GDPR, these capabilities are valuable. 

Challenges in automated patching

Automated patch management solves many IT security problems, but it creates new challenges. Even advanced patching tools face obstacles that need planning and smart implementation.

Managing patch volume

The volume of security updates overwhelms IT teams. 2024 brought over 40,000 common vulnerabilities and exposures (CVEs) a 38% jump from 28,818 in 2023. Automated systems still need effective prioritization to handle this flood.

Organizations face several issues:

• Finding critical patches among thousands released monthly
• Allocating resources to evaluate and deploy updates
• Building risk-based prioritization frameworks
• Keeping patch speed without cutting corners

IT security consultant Sina Yazdanmehr explains: "If you can keep your system updated without any security holes, it solves many of the issues and the initial breach that usually hackers use to exploit known vulnerabilities". Growing patch volumes make this harder to achieve.

Keeping up with device diversity

IT environments now span multiple platforms. Organizations patch Windows, macOS, Linux, and mobile operating systems simultaneously. IoT devices add another layer of complexity.

Connected devices need patches too : webcams, medical sensors, smart devices, GPS trackers, and industrial robots all create security gaps without updates. Experts predict 29 billion connected IoT devices by 2030, making manual patching impossible.

Remote work complicates things further. Research shows 67% of people use personal devices for work, but many employers lack proper security policies or visibility into these connections. Each unpatched personal device can compromise the entire network.

Outdated IT inventory systems

Many organizations can't see all their technology assets. Yazdanmehr notes the issue isn't resources—unclear ownership and organizational silos make it hard to know who should patch systems.

Large enterprises run thousands of systems with different configurations across regions and cloud providers. This fragmentation creates inconsistent patch deployment and leaves attack opportunities. Automated patching tools can't protect assets they can't see.

Testing patches before deployment

Testing patches creates the biggest challenge in automated patch management. Teams must balance security urgency with operational stability. The goal is fixing vulnerabilities without breaking systems through untested updates.

Microsoft's 2017 patch rollout demonstrates this risk—unexpected compatibility issues and system crashes caused widespread downtime and productivity loss. These incidents show why thorough testing matters before deployment.

Organizations need testing environments that match production settings—difficult for smaller companies with limited resources. Every patch deployment requires checking:

• Compatibility with existing software and configurations
• System performance impacts
• Application functionality after patching
• Rollback procedures for failures

Poor testing can cause worse problems than the original vulnerabilities. One IT professional warns: "Getting employees to voluntarily keep their devices up to date is critically important", but achieving this without proper testing creates serious business risks.

Key features to look for in automated patching tools

Selecting the right automated patch management solution requires evaluating specific capabilities that determine effectiveness. These core features separate reliable tools from inadequate options.

Real-time scanning and reporting

Effective patch management requires real-time visibility across your network infrastructure. Quality solutions scan continuously to detect vulnerabilities on all endpoints, regardless of location. This monitoring identifies missing patches and outdated software immediately. Look for tools that display security status through centralized dashboards with actionable data. Strong reporting features track deployment progress and generate compliance documentation for standards like HIPAA, PCI DSS, and ISO 27001.

Support for OS and third-party apps

Your patch management tool must handle diverse operating systems and applications. Effective solutions manage Windows, macOS, Linux, and hundreds of third-party applications from one platform. Coverage breadth matters—some solutions support only a few hundred applications while others handle 580+ third-party software titles. Wide coverage eliminates security gaps and reduces tool complexity. Since browsers, productivity suites, and communication tools frequently contain vulnerabilities, verify your solution covers these common applications.

Customizable deployment policies

Organizations need flexible patch deployment options. Quality patch management tools offer customizable policies that match your environment. Essential policy options include:

• Maintenance window scheduling for minimal business disruption
• Pre-deployment settings like wake-on-LAN for offline systems
• User notification configurations before patch installation
• Post-deployment actions including reboot management
• Exception rules for critical systems

This control helps IT teams balance security needs with operational requirements.

Integration with IT asset management

Asset management integration creates significant operational benefits. Integrated solutions maintain complete device and software inventories across your network. This visibility prevents unpatched endpoints from creating security gaps. ITAM tools can automatically detect patch management problems like missing agents. Integration provides precise asset information—what you have, where it's located, how it's configured, and its security status.

How to choose the right patch management software

Selecting patch management software requires evaluating specific capabilities that match your IT environment. Organizations need solutions that handle patching efficiently without creating new operational burdens.

Evaluate automation capabilities

Vendors often claim "true automation" while only providing metadata and plug-ins. Real automation handles each patching step without constant oversight. Look for tools with configurable templates that create custom deployment models for your business requirements. The solution should support different patching automation strategies with varying testing thresholds, roll-out phases, and deployment options for different devices or applications.

Check for reporting and compliance tools

Security visibility requires detailed reporting capabilities. Tools should generate patch audit reports and show patch status in real-time. The reporting system needs customizable dashboards with scheduled compliance reports and exportable audit logs. Solutions that track deployment status by device, user, or geography and alert on failed patches provide immediate value. Regulated industries must demonstrate compliance during audits, making these reporting features essential.

Assess ease of use and scalability

The patch management solution needs an intuitive dashboard that shows application update status clearly. Check whether the interface allows easy navigation between functions without unnecessary complexity. Consider how well the solution scales with your organization—can it handle increasing endpoints without performance issues? The best tools balance powerful features with user-friendly design, helping new IT staff understand the system quickly.

Consider vendor support and updates

Vendor responsiveness and support quality matter during critical situations. Strong technical support keeps patching operations running and helps solve problems when they arise. Check how frequently the vendor updates their software to address new threats. Quality vendors maintain dynamic lists of supported applications and operating systems that expand regularly. Support should include multiple channels: email, live chat, phone, and active community forums.

ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus

ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus handles patching across Windows, Mac, Linux, and third-party applications through a single console. The tool works well for mixed IT environments where different operating systems need coordinated updates.

The solution automates patch scanning, testing, deployment, and reporting. IT teams can use its test-and-approve method to verify patches work correctly before full deployment. This prevents broken systems from faulty updates.

Patch Manager Plus includes pre-built compliance reports for PCI-DSS, HIPAA, and NIST standards. These reports can be scheduled and sent automatically to stakeholders, which helps during audit periods.

The platform offers both on-premises and cloud deployment options. Organizations can pick the setup that fits their infrastructure requirements and security policies.

A manufacturing company reduced patch deployment time from weeks to hours after implementing this tool. The automation eliminated manual work that previously required multiple technicians working overtime shifts.

Patch Manager Plus addresses the main challenges discussed earlier: handling high patch volumes, supporting multiple device types, connecting with asset management systems, and providing proper testing capabilities.

Meet the author

Nivedhitha

Product Specialist at ManageEngine, focusing on Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) and Cybersecurity solutions. She helps shape product positioning, craft go-to-market strategies, and translate complex IT security challenges into actionable solutions for global enterprises.