Are These 3 Challenges Holding Your Patch Implementation Back?
How many applications does your business use on a daily basis? Managing and maintaining them all can be quite the challenge for a number of reasons–particularly if your organization doesn’t have a dedicated IT technician. It’s important that you take a look at your current situation and determine what roadblocks there are that could cause problems for your organization’s securty.
First, a short explanation of why patching and security updates are important. Software is often issued with considerations made for the latest cybersecurity threats. However, the current state of network security is typically fluid. New threats develop every day, which results in what is effectively a “state of emergency” for many small businesses. If patches and security updates aren’t implemented properly, you could be exposing your organization to unnecessary threats and risks. Therefore, the need to keep your software as up-to-date as possible is of the utmost importance.
We’ll go over some of the most common roadblocks that are presented with software deployment:
Upper-Level Administration
It’s understandable for upper-level executives, like the CEO and COO, to want a say in the implementation of security solutions for your IT. However, if all options for technology must be run through administration, it’s difficult to get anything greenlit. When it comes to patching, you don’t have time to wait around for this to happen, as threats could be knocking at your door.
Software Developers
It’s important that you remain in contact with the company that develops any software you use. The reasoning is simple: they will be the ones to distribute any software patches, as they will be the ones developing it in the first place. If they aren’t effectively communicating that a new version or patch is available for download, you’re running the risk of threats overtaking your system.
Time and Resources
If you don’t have an internal IT department, chances are that you are having your employees deploy patches and security updates as they are released. However, they are only implemented if you have the time and resources to make it happen. Furthermore, if they are deployed, they could be implemented incorrectly, which means that the patches would have to be installed twice–wasting valuable time and money which could be saved for other ventures.
By working closely with a managed service provider, you can eliminate many of these troubles with remote patching and maintenance. We’ll work directly with your software vendors, should the need arise, to make sure your patches are implemented as swiftly and efficiently as possible. Thanks to remote technology, all of this can be done without an on-site visit, freeing up more time and resources than ever before–all while making security a top priority for your business.
For help with implementing patches and security updates, be sure to reach out to Catalyst Technology Group at (317) 705-0333.
48 Vulnerabilities Resolved On Patch Tuesday
Microsoft’s monthly Patch Tuesday issued resolutions to 48 vulnerabilities in August, including 15 that affected Windows, 25 critical flaws, 21 important flaws, and 27 that allowed for remote execution. This is a lot to consider, but the main jist of this is that lots of threats were fixed, and that your organization shouldn’t risk not implementing them as soon as possible.
Only 15 of the vulnerabilities affected Windows itself, but the others addressed issues with other Microsoft products, including Internet Explorer, Microsoft Edge, SharePoint, SQL Server, Hyper-V, and Kernel. Yet, only two of these flaws affected every single version of Windows and Windows Server, and none of them were being exploited in the wild by hackers.
One of these vulnerabilities demands your immediate attention, though, and that is the one that has your Windows Search feature in its crosshairs. This vulnerability, coded by Microsoft as CVE-2017-8620, can use the Server Management Block (SMB) to remotely control a system, be it a Windows Server unit or a Windows workstation. Since the flaw isn’t located in SMB itself, it isn’t affected by other threats like the notorious WannaCry ransomware and NotPetya.
This Windows advisory claims that the vulnerability takes advantage of the way that Windows Search works with objects in memory. A hacker can send customized messages through the Windows Search function to change user permissions. They can then take full advantage of their permissions to install, remove, or change applications on any infected device. They can also view, change, or delete any data that’s stored on it, or create a new account just for them with full administrator privileges.
A vulnerability like this is exactly what a hacker wants. They can basically take full control over a victim’s computer with minimum trouble. If you implement patches and security updates as they are released, you shouldn’t have anything to worry about. Does your business have an organized approach to implementing security patches? If not, there are solutions available that you can use to keep security at a maximum.
Outsourced IT often includes remote patching and maintenance that can be used, even by small businesses. Even better, it does this without costing your business an arm and a leg. Enterprise-level solutions are often the only way for your business to thrive in a world filled with competition, but that’s because they provide a significant benefit to your organization that you can’t afford to ignore. We can improve your network security in the same way as an internal IT department, but without the costs associated with adding new salaries to your budget. Catalyst Technology Group can help your organization implement new security solutions like remote monitoring and maintenance. To learn more, reach out to us at (317) 705-0333.