Remember hearing about Spectre and Meltdown in late 2017? They were the software flaws that affected almost all 2008 and newer processors, affecting millions of devices. The flaws themselves were in the processor chips, which allowed hackers to gain access to parts of computers’ memory. Will computer systems ever be rid of bugs? Probably not, but you can stop those flaws from affecting your system if you make patching a priority and are diligent in your patching process.
Patching your software is so important, in fact, that the Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights (HHS OCR) recently published an entire newsletter regarding software vulnerabilities and patching. What makes patching so difficult for companies? Let’s take a look at patching woes and what you can do to streamline your patching process. The patient information you’re legally bound to protect is worth it.
What Makes Patching So Hard?
Time
What makes patching so difficult? Like many things, patching takes time. You have to take time out of your already busy schedule to fix something that hasn’t yet caused you a problem. For many, the sheer “out of sight, out of mind” and “if it’s not broken, then don’t fix it” mindsets are enough to push patching to the bottom of your “to do” list.
Number
One individual operating system or software application may have hundreds of new vulnerabilities each year, each of which needs to be patched. Add to that the fact that almost every program has a different patching method, and you can quickly get overwhelmed.
Interruption
Patching goes hand in hand with stopping and restarting the software, and sometimes includes completely rebooting your system. To most, the thought of being “down” for any amount of time can affect client care and, ultimately, your bottom line. It’s no wonder that one of the biggest deterrents of patching is the sheer complexity and potential downtime of applying patches on systems that cannot easily be taken offline because of the information they store. Any group that regularly uses software 24×7 and contains patient information must take great care when deciding when to install patches. For many, that time never comes. To add to the issue, many software applications have auto-update mechanisms, but administrators and users often disable or ignore auto-update routines to avoid service interruptions or other unintended consequences.
Then there’s the interruption in workflow once a patch is installed. Will the patch affect employees’ work processes and negatively affect the office routine?
With the amount of time it takes to install patches, the potential number of patches, and the downtime patching can create, is patching worth it? The short answer? Yes. Why? In a nutshell, these small, painstaking sacrifices pale in comparison to the damage that a virus or malware could do to your business.
Your Patching Plan
Make patching a part of your regular business plan, and it won’t be as overwhelming. Consider following these steps offered by HHS OCR to make applying patches more manageable.
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- Evaluate patches – does the patch apply to your software/systems?
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- Test patches – if you can, test patches on an isolated system to determine if there are any unforeseen or unwanted side effects, such as applications not functioning properly or system instability.
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- Approve patches – Once patches have been evaluated and tested, approve them for deployment.
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- Deploy patches – schedule patches to be installed on live or production systems.
- Verify and Test patches – after deployment, continue to test and audit systems to ensure that the patches created no unwanted side effects.
Yes, patching takes time and can be a nuisance. But think of it like going to your yearly physical with your doctor. Just as it can do for you, preventive care can extend and secure the life of your company before something catastrophic hits.
