Main Types of Patch Management: A Decision-Making Guide

Contents:

Choosing between the different types of patch management solutions impacts the effort your IT team must make to keep the system safe.

There’s no one-size-fits-all with patch management software.

You’ll need to evaluate your company’s profile first.

Once you decide, look at this list of best patch management software.

Key takeaways

Over 100 endpoint businesses need automated patch management solutions.
Small companies with limited resources should choose cloud-based tools.
Check the pricing model and features’ versatility if you are a managed service provider (MSP).
Cross-platform patch management software makes patching easier and safer for multiple OS infrastructures.

How to evaluate your company’s patch management needs

Consider some key factors that define your business to make a good choice.

Ask yourself

Is a multi-featured, highly customizable patch management tool necessary?
Will this tool assist in applying best practices for patch management?
Do the security products currently in place work well with the patch management solution I intend to purchase?
Given the sensitivity of the data we handle, is it advisable to use an internet-exposed patch management solution?

Patch Management Factors Assessment Shortlist

Key Assessment Points

Business size and environment complexity.
Industry regulations.
Resource availability.
Business plans.

Business size and environment complexity

Larger organizations need automated patch management to avoid overcrowding their IT team with redundant patch-related tasks.

Imagine the time you would have to consume if you had to apply manually one patch per month, per software, on 700 endpoints.

If computers in your company use, let’s say, 5 software each, that’s applying 3500 patches/month.

Some prefer on-premises solutions for greater control because they can’t risk exposing sensitive data online.

Large companies also tend to use more than one operating system.

It’s usually MacOS for creatives and design, Linux for the IT team, Windows for everybody else.

In that case, a cross-platform support patch management tool is a better fit.

Unify the patch management process for:

• Streamlined operations. Using one platform for all your operating systems removes switching between different tools for each OS. It simplifies patching and reduces human error.
• Consistency. Unified platforms enable applying the same patching policies and procedures across all devices. It helps keep good security posture and workflow.

On the other hand, smaller businesses might find cloud-based services more suitable. That’s because:

they are easy to implement, since you don’t need extra hardware or extensive software licensing fees;

there’s no maintenance cost and all expenses are predictable. So, they’re more budget friendly;

they are scalable, so they offer the flexibility a small, but growing business needs.

Industry regulations

If your business runs in an industry with strict data handling regulations, like healthcare or banking, on-premises solutions might be mandatory.

Resource availability

Assessing Your Company’s IT Resources

• Does your budget support buy more hardware?
• Do you have the ability to deploy and manage an on-premises system?

If not, a cloud-based service might be more manageable.

Business plans

Small or medium companies with a growth plan should go for a scalable solution.

If you plan to expand the business, get an automated, scalable patch management tool.

how to decide what patch management solution to buy

Main types of patch management solutions

Key Points

Deployment model.
Agent-based vs Agentless patch management.
Automation level.
Support for platforms and applications.
Integration capabilities.
Target audience.

I organized the patch management solutions based on several key features.

These key features correspond to the business needs I previously asked you to assess.

1. Deployment model

This criterion refers to how the patch management software is hosted, run, and accessed.

The deployment model affects scalability, cost, safety, and maintenance requirements.

Cloud-Based Patch Management

Key feature: the solution is hosted and managed remotely on the vendor’s servers.

Best For

Businesses seeking flexibility and minimal on-premises infrastructure.

Pros: easy to deploy and scalable. Most cloud-based patch management solutions come with regular, automatic updates.

Cons: needs to go online. It doesn’t suit businesses under stringent data control regulations.

On-Premises Patch Management

Key feature: you can install and use it from a business’s servers and infrastructure.

Best For

Organizations with strict data control policies and high customization level.

Pros: greater control over data and patch management process.

Cons: needs more in-house technical expertise and infrastructure.

2. Agent-based vs Agentless patch management

Choosing between agent-based and agentless patch management solutions affects resource allocation.

It also involves operational efficiency and network infrastructure.

The two terms define how patch management software interacts with devices.

Agent-Based Patch Management

Key feature: requires installing software agents – a piece of code – on each device that you want to patch.

Best For

Complex networks that need detailed control and monitoring of devices.

Pros: increased visibility, and the ability to perform some operations offline.

Cons: some agent-based patch management solutions can be resource-consuming. They need an increased deployment and maintenance effort.

Agentless Patch Management

Key feature: manages devices using existing network protocols without dedicated agents.

Best For

Networks that host various devices and operating systems.

Pros: low resource consumption, easy to deploy

Cons: needs to connect to the network. Some agentless patch management solutions offer limited functionality.

3. Automation level

This is about how many steps in the patch management process happen automatically.

Patch Automation Cycle

•Discovering applicable patches.
•Deciding which patches to apply.
•Patch testing.
•Patch deployment.
•Reporting.

All these can happen in just a few clicks or request manual work on each device.

The automation level of a patch management solution impacts how efficient and reliable the patching process is.

It is also related to the amount of workload for the IT team.

Automated Patch Management

Key feature: automates the entire process of patch deployment.

Best For

Large businesses, with complex infrastructure that need to reduce manual workload.

This ensures prompt updates for hundreds or thousands of endpoints, you’ll need an automated patch management solution.

Pros: streamlines operations, minimizes human error, and supports consistency.

Cons: some solutions only offer limited control over individual patch deployment and scheduling.

Manual Patch Management

Key feature: all patching-related tasks are done manually.

Best For

Smaller businesses, with specific, less frequent patching needs.

Pros: high degree of control over each patch application.

Cons: time-consuming and more prone to human error.

4. Support for platforms and applications

The solution’s versatility in dealing with a wide range of software environments affects patching results.

Cross-platform support patch management

Key feature: compatible with multiple operating systems (OS). Works for patching various software applications across different environments.

Best For

Organizations that use more than one OS. If you use two or three OSes, you need a unified patch management solution.

Pros: solves patching for more OSes and simplifies management in complex IT environments.

Cons: can be less specialized in handling the nuances of each platform. Some cross-platform patching tools don’t offer all the features that a platform-specific solution would.

Specialized systems

Key feature: built to manage patches on one specific operating system alone: Windows, Linux, MacOS, etc.

Best For

Businesses that use a single operating system and look for specialized, in-depth management for it.

Pros: can offer advanced features and integration capabilities for the target system. It may also provide better support.

Cons: limited to a specific environment. It’s not suitable for businesses that use various operating systems.

5. Integration capabilities

This feature regards how the solution will connect and run along other systems and tools.

Compatibility with in-place IT infrastructure ensures streamlining of the patch management process.

Integrating security tools, configuration management databases (CMDBs), and other software reduces the IT team’s workload.

Standalone patch management solution

Key feature: works independently without requiring integration with other IT management tools.

Best For

Companies that run simple IT environments need a focused patch management solution

Pros: simplifies deployment as it doesn’t need to interact with other tools.

Cons: if you need to correlate data with other IT management tools, it will turn out to be effort and time-consuming.

Integrated patch management solution

Key feature – seamlessly integrates with other IT infrastructure. Works well with in-place network monitoring, EDR, and configuration management tools.

Best For

Businesses with large and complex IT environments that need increased visibility of their IT assets and security posture.

Pros: due to automated workflows and sharing information between systems, this type of patching tool is more efficient.

Cons: it can be harder to set up and manage if the dashboard is not user-friendly. Your IT team might need to upskill to effectively use all features.

6. Target audience

Think about who is going to use this solution and what for.

Most patch management solutions are designed with a specific group of users in mind.

Vendors also set the pricing model to suit their target public.

Enterprise-Oriented Patch Management

Key feature: Focuses on robustness, scalability, and offering a variety of features.

Best For

Large enterprises and complex IT infrastructures. In-depth control and customization are key in this case.

Pros: offers features like advanced reporting, compliance tracking, and extensive customization options.

Cons: some of these tools might be resource-intensive. They are harder to install and manage, especially for small companies that could do with less.

MSP-oriented patch management

Key feature – By design it can manage various clients’ IT environments. Most MSP-oriented patch management solutions offer multi-tenant capabilities, centralized management, and scalability.

Best For

MSPs that handle patch management for various client networks and OSes.

Pros: enables MSPs to manage patches for different clients from a single platform. Most tools include features like client-specific reporting, branding options, and flexible billing models.

Cons: in some cases, the multi-tenant feature can complicate the management interface.

Hybrid patch management

Key feature: versatile enough to use it both in large enterprises and by MSPs.

Best For

Organizations that need flexibility, due to their complex infrastructure. It also suits MSPs that run clients of different sizes and needs.

Pros: these patching solutions are scalable, easy to customize, and user-friendly.

Cons: some of them don’t offer the best specialized features for either market segment. It’s a compromise.

Conclusion

Prepare your wish list with care before making a buy. Make a checklist of your company’s specific needs. It should include data about:

the number of your endpoints;
the variety of operating systems you use;
how many third-party software your system uses;
data protection regulations;
available IT resources;
budget.

Compare your list against the best patch management tools on the market.

Remove those that don’t fit your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are the key benefits of agent-based patch management for MSPs?

Granular Control: Provides detailed control over individual devices.
Offline Updates: Patches can be scheduled and installed even when devices are offline.
Detailed Reporting: Offers comprehensive data on patch status and compliance.
Security: Enhanced security with continuous monitoring and enforcement.

The primary benefits of agentless patch management for MSPs include…

Simplicity: Easier to deploy and manage, with no need for agent installation.
Reduced Overhead: Lower resource usage since there’s no background agent running on devices.
Quick Deployment: Faster to set up, particularly useful for immediate or emergency updates.
Compatibility: Avoids issues with agent compatibility across different device types.

How do cost implications affect MSPs when choosing agent-based patch management?

Higher Initial Setup Cost: More expensive to deploy due to the need for installing and maintaining agents.
Maintenance Costs: Ongoing costs related to updating and managing the agents.
Resource Consumption: Higher resource usage on both the server and client sides, potentially increasing hardware costs.

What limitations does agentless patch management impose on MSPs?

Limited Control: Less control over individual devices compared to agent-based solutions.
Dependency on Network: Requires devices to be online and accessible on the network for updates.
Less Detailed Reporting: Typically offers less detailed insights and reporting compared to agent-based methods.
Security Concerns: Potentially less secure due to the lack of continuous monitoring on the endpoint level.

What are the key benefits of automated patch management for MSPs?

Time Savings: Automates repetitive tasks, freeing up time for MSPs to focus on more strategic activities.
Consistency: Ensures patches are applied uniformly across all managed devices, reducing human error.
Improved Security: Timely patching helps protect against vulnerabilities and security threats.
Scalability: Easily scales to manage patches across a large number of devices without additional effort.

How do costs impact MSPs when implementing automated patch management?

Initial Investment: May require upfront costs for purchasing and setting up automated patch management software.
Operational Savings: Reduces labor costs associated with manual patching.
Reduced Downtime: Minimizes system downtime and potential revenue loss due to security breaches.
Efficiency Gains: Increases overall operational efficiency, potentially leading to cost savings over time.

What limitations do MSPs face with automated patch management?

Complex Setup: Initial configuration and setup can be complex and time-consuming.
Compatibility Issues: Some patches may cause conflicts with existing applications or systems.
Over-reliance on Automation: Excessive reliance on automation can lead to complacency and missed issues that require manual intervention.
Resource Requirements: Requires robust infrastructure to handle the automated processes efficiently.

How does automated patch management benefit MSP clients?

Enhanced Security: Clients benefit from timely updates that protect against vulnerabilities and security threats.
Reduced Disruptions: Automated patching can be scheduled during off-hours, minimizing disruptions to business operations.
Compliance: Helps clients maintain compliance with industry regulations and standards.
Peace of Mind: Provides clients with confidence that their systems are consistently up-to-date and secure.

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Livia Gyongyoși

Communications and PR Officer

Livia Gyongyoși is a Communications and PR Officer within Heimdal®, passionate about cybersecurity. Always interested in being up to date with the latest news regarding this domain, Livia's goal is to keep others informed about best practices and solutions that help avoid cyberattacks.

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