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Security Operations · Foundational

Patch Management

The process of acquiring, testing, deploying and verifying software updates to fix vulnerabilities and defects.

Definition

Patch management involves monitoring vendor releases, assessing applicability, testing in non-production, scheduling deployment through change management, deploying via tools such as WSUS, Intune or SCCM, and verifying installation. Emergency patching handles actively exploited vulnerabilities.

Example

Testing Patch Tuesday updates on a pilot group before broad rollout.

Exam tip

Test patches before production deployment, except in emergencies with documented risk acceptance.

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