# Deploy patches automatically with Automated Patch Management Software [![ ](https://www.manageengine.com/patch-management/images/best-practices-ebook-banner.jpg)](https://www.manageengine.com/patch-management/patch-management-best-practices-guide.html?automated_patching) Patch deployment is a crucial step to secure your digital assets and cyber footprint. While manually patching systems can be a redundant task, especially for enterprises with a large number of endpoints, this can swiftly be streamlined with automated patch management. ## Key Takeaways - Patching automation removes manual bottlenecks. Automated patching handles scanning, downloading, testing, and deployment without requiring an administrator to initiate each step by reducing the time from patch release to endpoint protection. - Coverage determines effectiveness. Automated patch management that covers only operating systems leaves third-party applications, remote endpoints, and servers exposed. Full protection requires a solution that addresses all these surfaces from one console. - Risk-based prioritization matters more than patch volume. Deploying every patch at the same speed creates operational disruption. Prioritizing by severity ensures critical vulnerabilities are remediated first, while lower-risk updates follow on a manageable schedule. ## What is automated patch management? Automated patch management (or automated patching) refers to the automation of the entire patch management process right from scanning all the systems in the network to detect the missing patches, testing the patches on a test group of systems, deploying them to the required systems and providing periodic updates and reports on the patch deployment status. With an automated patch management software, you can streamline this entire process. Not only does this bolster the security of the network but also ensures proper utilization of resources, and conserves crucial time spent on manual patching of systems. ## Risk-based automated patching Not every patch carries equal urgency. A critical remote code execution vulnerability with an active exploit in the wild needs a fundamentally different response timeline than a low-severity update to a desktop utility. Treating them identically deploying everything in a single undifferentiated wave either causes unnecessary operational disruption or creates a patch backlog that delays the fixes that actually matter. Risk-based automated patching applies severity scoring at the prioritization stage. The patching automation identifies which missing patches correspond to actively exploited CVEs or carry a high CVSS score, and deploys those within a tighter remediation window. Lower-priority updates are staged with more scheduling flexibility, without holding up critical remediations. This approach gives organizations a defensible security posture without patch cycles that disrupt normal operations every time a vendor releases an update. In practice, this means configuring your automated patch management software to separate patches by severity tier before deployment tasks are created: critical patches on an accelerated schedule, high and moderate patches on a standard cadence, and low-severity updates batched for the next maintenance window. The result is fewer emergency patch cycles and a clearer audit trail that shows regulators exactly how each vulnerability class was handled. ## Automated patch management benefits If the exponential rise in vulnerabilities every year has taught us anything, it's the importance of keeping our systems updated with the latest patches, irrespective of the location they are in. Unfortunately, for every organization across the world, irrespective of their size, cyber-attacks show no signs of receding. Enterprises across the globe could have prevented various remote work-targeted cyber attacks and ransomware incidents if they had a patch management solution that catered to remote machines in place and could patch their machines regularly. As per a [recent report](https://blogs.manageengine.com/desktop-mobile/patch-manager-plus/2023/07/03/bugged-by-vulnerabilities-this-is-what-you-need.html?automated_patching), "68% of [ransomware]-impacted organizations did not have an effective vulnerability and patch management process, and a high dependence on manual processes versus automated patching led to critical openings." Moreover, the lack of automated patching often creates loopholes in the enterprise networks, that act as a sweet spot for vulnerabilities to creep in, allowing threat actors to exploit the network security. For enterprises of any size, the most effective step to improve their security posture is to consistently patch both their OSs and applications by incorporating patch automation. Let us understand how auto patching can further strengthen network security. ## Common challenges in automated patch management Patching automation eliminates significant overhead from manual workflows, but the automation alone does not guarantee full protection. Teams that deploy an automated patch management tool without addressing these common gaps often end up with coverage blind spots rather than a solved problem. Incomplete endpoint coverage: Many organizations configure automated patching for Windows workstations but leave Linux servers, macOS endpoints, or remote machines outside the deployment scope. Every uncovered endpoint is an exposure point. Linux patch management, [Mac patch management](https://www.manageengine.com/patch-management/mac-patch-management.html?automated_patching), and [Windows patch management](https://www.manageengine.com/patch-management/windows-patch-management.html?automated_patching) all need to be addressed from a single, [unified policy](https://www.manageengine.com/patch-management/articles/patch-management-policy.html?automated_patching). Third-party application gaps: OS patches cover a fraction of the real attack surface. Browsers, productivity suites, Java, and Adobe products are frequently targeted precisely because they are often excluded from automated patch workflows. [Third-party patch management](https://www.manageengine.com/patch-management/third-party-applications-patch-management.html?automated_patching) requires a dedicated catalog beyond what native OS update mechanisms provide. Server patching complexity: Servers have stricter requirements around maintenance windows, downtime risk, and rollback capability than workstations. Organizations that use a desktop-only patching tool for [server patch management](https://www.manageengine.com/patch-management/server-patch-management.html?automated_patching) often encounter deployment failures or compliance gaps on their most critical infrastructure. Deployment disruption: Patches that trigger unexpected reboots during business hours generate end-user complaints and resistance. Without configurable deployment windows and deferral options, automated patching can disrupt productivity leading teams to disable or delay it entirely. Testing bottlenecks: A manual approval step on every patch defeats much of the efficiency that automation provides. Without a structured test group strategy combined with auto-approval rules for trusted patch categories, the testing stage becomes the rate-limiting step in the entire patching pipeline. Visibility across distributed environments: Organizations with endpoints across multiple locations, remote offices, and cloud environments need patch status data that reflects the real-time state of the network. Stale compliance reports create false confidence in security posture. ## How to choose automated patch management software The right [best patch management software](https://www.manageengine.com/patch-management/best-patch-management-software.html?automated_patching) for your environment needs to satisfy both the security team's need for speed and coverage, and the IT operations team's need for minimal disruption. Here are the key criteria to evaluate: Cross-platform support: Confirm the solution covers Windows, macOS, and Linux from a single console not through separate add-on products. Check specifically that [Linux patch management](https://www.manageengine.com/patch-management/linux-cloud-patch-management.html?automated_patching) includes the specific distributions your environment runs. Third-party application catalog depth: Ask how many third-party applications are covered and how frequently the catalog is updated. A catalog that covers 1100+ applications handles a very different environment than one limited to a few hundred titles. Remote and distributed endpoint support: If your workforce is distributed, verify that the tool patches off-network machines without requiring VPN for every deployment. Distribution Server architecture is the standard mechanism to check for here. Server patching controls: Dedicated [server patch management](https://www.manageengine.com/patch-management/server-patch-management.html?automated_patching) capabilities separate maintenance windows, rollback on failure, pre-deployment snapshots should be evaluated independently from workstation patching. Deployment flexibility: Look for configurable deployment windows, user deferral options, and wave-based deployment logic. These controls determine whether patching runs quietly in the background or generates constant IT support tickets. Compliance reporting: Evaluate whether the built-in reports answer the actual questions your audit function asks. Real-time dashboards and exportable patch compliance logs reduce the manual effort required during compliance assessments. Trial availability: Test the product against a representative slice of your own endpoints before committing. A 30-day free trial will surface integration issues that no feature comparison table captures. ## Automated Patch Management Process Let us understand the steps in an automated patch management process and also how to automate patch management for your enterprise. - **Scanning endpoints for missing patches:** The first task is to scan the endpoints in the network for missing patches. The scans can either be automated via scheduling or generated on demand. - **Downloading patches from the vendor sites:** Once the missing patches have been identified, it is required to download them from the vendor sites (for example Adobe, Java, Google, Cisco, and so on). Patches can be either manually downloaded from the vendor sites or automated via an automated patch management software. This automation ensures that the missing patches are downloaded as soon as they are identified on the network, without any manual dependencies. - **Testing and approval of the patches:** Patches when deployed to the systems without prior testing can cause anomalies in performance due to bugs present in them. While this can majorly affect employee productivity as well as cause downtime, thorough [testing of the patches](https://www.manageengine.com/patch-management/test-and-approve-patches.html?automated_patching) on a test environment can greatly reduce such errors. - **Prioritization and deployment of patches:** Once the patches are successfully tested and approved, they can be scheduled for deployment to the systems. However, it is important to prioritize the patches based on their severity (critical, high, moderate, etc.) before deploying them. For faster remediation and higher levels of patch compliance, you can make use of an [automated patch management software](https://www.manageengine.com/patch-management/?automated_patching). - **Reporting and audits:** It is important to schedule and generate reports on the entire patch management process. This ensures visibility into the nitty gritty of the manual or automated patching process which can be useful for network compliance and audits. ## Importance of automated patch management software With the plethora of advantages that an automated patch management workflow provides, it is now time to understand how an automated patch management software can help you achieve this. Here's a look at why it is imperative for enterprises to invest in an automated patch management software: - **Real-time patch scanning** With vulnerabilities on a constant rise, it is crucial to have a constant overwatch on your network's endpoints. By leveraging patch automation, you can be top of your patching game with real-time detection of software vulnerabilities, across all endpoints in your network. - **Automated deployment across endpoints** As enterprises grow, so does their cyber footprint. Inadvertently, this growth makes it harder to secure the network from cyber threats. An automated patch management software ensures that patches are deployed to all the endpoints in the network, regardless of the network's size or geographical location of the systems. - **Negating manual dependencies and errors** Deploying patches to hundreds of systems is undoubtedly a redundant task. On top of that, ensuring the installation of patches to the multitude of applications and operating systems is yet another daunting task. While a manual error can be fatal to the organization's network security, it can be easily prevented by leveraging automated patching methods. This also ensures better utilization of resources across the organization. - **Minimal efforts, maximum results** With an automated patching workflow in place, organizations can drastically benefit from the advanced deployment mechanism. An automated patch management software ensures maximum results and accuracy, and minimum overhead costs. ## Benefits of using Automated Patch Management Software Modern-day patch management solutions such as Patch Manager Plus offer a plethora of features to simplify the patch management process. From automated patch management to customized deployment templates, and integration with third-party solutions, rest assured, this solution will guard your network against cyber threats. Here's how Patch Manager Plus can help your enterprise reap the benefits of automated patching: - **Automated scanning and detection** One of the major benefits of using an automated patch management software such as Patch Manager Plus is the [real-time scanning](https://www.manageengine.com/patch-management/help/scan-for-missing-patches.html?automated_patching) of the network. This ensures that the missing patches and software vulnerabilities are detected, irrespective of the number of endpoints, operating systems, or applications being used. Instead of patching automation, in case an enterprise relies on manual processes to identify the vulnerabilities, this would surely lead to critical openings and cause delays in addressing them. ![Automated patch deployment in Patch Manager Plus](https://www.manageengine.com/patch-management/images/automated-patch-deployment.png) - **Deployment across multiple OS and applications** Be it Windows, Mac, or Linux - Patch Manager Plus supports patch deployment for all three operating systems and eight different Linux flavors. In addition, you can also configure auto patching for [over 1100 third-party applications](https://www.manageengine.com/patch-management/supported-applications.html?automated_patching). This greatly reduces IT overhead and allows IT admins in the enterprise to focus on other aspects of security, instead of relying on manually performing patch management across the operating systems and applications. - **Patch systems irrespective of their geographical location** With hybrid work becoming increasingly popular, it's imperative that enterprise employees will be based across the globe. While it can be difficult to patch systems located across the world, it can be streamlined through an automated patch management process. Be it for LAN, WAN, remote offices, or WFH employees, admins can [swiftly patch the distributed workforce](https://www.manageengine.com/patch-management/remote-patch-management-to-manage-remote-workers.html?automated_patching) via Distribution Servers and enable direct downloading of patches in the remote endpoints. - **Flexible policies to enhance employee productivity** As important as it is to [deploy patches](https://www.manageengine.com/patch-management/articles/deploy-patches.html?automated_patching), admins also need to ensure that employee productivity isn't affected due to sudden reboots. With Patch Manager Plus' [flexible deployment policies](https://www.manageengine.com/patch-management/flexible-deployment-policies.html?automated_patching), admins can not only schedule patch deployment over varied windows but can also allow the end-users to skip/postpone the deployments in case they are working on business-critical tasks. ![Flexible deployment policy](https://www.manageengine.com/patch-management/images/flexible-deployment-policy-pmp.png) ## FAQs ### 1) What is automated patch management? Automated patch management (or automated patching) refers to the automation of the entire patch management process right from scanning all the systems in the network to detect the missing patches, testing the patches on a test group of systems, deploying them to the required systems and providing periodic updates and reports on the patch deployment status. ### 2) What is automated patch update service? An automated patch update service is a solution that automates the entire patch management workflow in your enterprise. Right from scanning and detecting the missing patches to testing and deploying them, admins can save valuable man-hours by cutting down on redundant tasks. ### 3) What are the benefits of automated patch management? Here are the benefits of automated patch management: - Automated scanning and detection - Deployment across multiple OS and applications - Patch systems irrespective of their geographical location - Flexible policies to enhance employee productivity ### 4) Why is automated patching important? Automated patching ensures rapid action and mitigation of vulnerabilities. This gives a head start against software vulnerabilities and zero days. With an automated patch management process, admins can also bolster the network security against malware and cyber threats, by patching the systems and applications on time and preventing any loopholes. ### 5) What is the difference between manual patching and automatic patching? Automatic patching ensures that the missing patches in the network are detected, tested, and deployed in real-time automatically. This prevents malware and cyber threats from exploiting the systems due to unpatched systems and software. Manual patching, on the contrary, refers to performing all the steps of the patch management process manually. It also includes deploying patches manually to the multitude of systems in the network, which can open up avenues for network exploitation. ### 6) Can automated patching update third-party applications? Yes. Patch Manager Plus supports automated patching for over 1100 third-party applications including Adobe, Java, Chrome, and Microsoft Office. Patches are downloaded directly from vendor sites, tested against a defined test group, and deployed automatically using the same workflow as OS patches, with no separate process required. ### 7) Can automated patch management work for remote endpoints? Yes. Patch Manager Plus patches remote and off-network endpoints through Distribution Servers placed at remote sites, and supports direct patch downloads for WFH employees. This covers LAN, WAN, and remote office environments without requiring VPN connectivity for each deployment cycle. ### 8) Does automated patching help with compliance audits? Yes. Patch Manager Plus generates real-time patch compliance reports that document patching status across all managed endpoints by severity and system across various time periods. These reports provide audit-ready evidence for regulatory assessments and internal security reviews, giving teams continuous visibility rather than point-in-time snapshots. ### 9) How does automated patching reduce security risk? Automated patching closes the window between a vulnerability being published and a patch reaching the endpoint. Combined with risk-based prioritization, it ensures CVEs with active exploits are remediated first. Removing manual steps eliminates the delays that threat actors rely on to move from vulnerability disclosure to active exploitation. ### 10) Can automated patching manage Windows, macOS, and Linux endpoints? Yes. Patch Manager Plus manages [Windows](https://www.manageengine.com/patch-management/windows-patch-management.html?automated_patching), [macOS](https://www.manageengine.com/patch-management/mac-patch-management.html?automated_patching) and [Linux](https://www.manageengine.com/patch-management/linux-cloud-patch-management.html?automated_patching) endpoints including Red Hat, Ubuntu, CentOS, Debian, and SUSE from a single console. Admins configure cross-platform automated patching policies in one place without maintaining separate workflows per OS.