One of the most frightening problems facing those, who rely on computer systems is a successful attack from outside in which clients’ personal information is misappropriated. Such losses of such sensitive data in the private sector have resulted in payouts of millions of dollars and, worse, the loss of clients’ trust. Such losses have occurred in the public sector, as well. For example, hackers stole the information of 3.5 million citizens from data stored on a publicly accessible server used by the Comptroller’s Office for the State of Texas in 2011. Similarly, the South Carolina Department of Revenue admitted a breach in their computer system in 2012, which exposed the information of 3.6 million citizens.
As vitally important as security is, no one person nor team of people has the ability nor the time to unceasingly monitor their computer system for weaknesses and vulnerabilities. It’s just not humanly possible. This is where patches or, more precisely, an automated patch management system becomes necessary. An automated patch management system involves the installation of a client agent, which allows network administrators to control patch distribution from a web-based interface. When working with other security features, it’s like having security guards inside your computer system doing nothing but finding the system’s vulnerabilities and correcting them without taking breaks. Like assigning security guards to specific areas for specific reasons at certain times, an automated patch management system can be configured to provide the protections needed by your specific system and your use of it. Now you and your team have the time to complete other tasks, while periodic reports keep you aware of what the “security guards” are doing inside your system.
But I have the latest version of “GreatSheets”
As hard as software and application developers work to make their products as secure as possible, the nature of coding and the character of hackers make even the most secure versions vulnerable to glitches and attacks. Patch management, though, is preventative. It seeks out the vulnerabilities and places the necessary patches before these vulnerabilities become headaches for you. The constant monitoring afforded by an automated patch management system ensures this.
At a time when more and more personal information stored in the cloud and on servers, local governments have an ever increasing responsibility to demonstrate an ever vigilant protection of that data to their constituents. Installing an automated patch management system ensures the security of their data, while leaving you and your team free to pursuing other tasks and projects.