How to Solve Network Patching Issues

Network patching is a critical aspect of maintaining your IT infrastructure's security, stability, and performance. A network patch is an update or a set of changes applied to network devices, such as routers, firewalls and network management software, to address various issues. However, they can also present various challenges, such as compatibility issues, downtime, and failed updates, all of which can hold up your business operations. This guide will explore effective strategies to solve network patching issues, ensuring a smooth and secure patching process.

Why Are Network Patches Important?

Before diving into the solutions for patching issues, it's crucial to recognise why patching is necessary for businesses. One of the primary reasons for patching is to protect your network from security threats. Cybercriminals are constantly looking for vulnerabilities to exploit in both software and hardware, but patches often address these vulnerabilities, closing potential entry points for attackers. Statistics show that 57% of data breaches are due to poor patch management that has left your IT infrastructure vulnerable. 

Beyond security, patches often include performance improvements. These can range from fixing bugs that cause crashes to optimising the software to run more efficiently, bringing greater stability and efficiency to your systems. Applying the latest patches can also contribute towards a reduction in errors which can help increase user productivity and improve business processes, as well as fixing bugs that can disrupt normal operations. 

What Issues Are Involved?

There are various problems caused by network patching issues, such as:

• Compatibility Issues - The patch may not be compatible with the current hardware or software configuration.
• Downtime - Applying patches often requires restarting systems, which can cause network downtime and affect business operations.
• Failed Updates - Sometimes patches may not be applied correctly, leaving the system in an unstable state or not addressing the intended issues.
• Configuration Problems - After patching, configurations might be reset or changed, leading to connectivity issues or degraded network performance.
• Security Risks - If patches are not applied correctly or timely, systems remain vulnerable to known security threats.
• Dependency Issues - Patches may have dependencies on other updates or software versions, leading to complex update chains that must be managed carefully.

How to Combat Network Patching Issues

We have developed a “step-by-step” process to tackle any patching issues that may occur, as well as providing key information on how to reduce the risk of them causing you inconvenience to begin with. These include:

1 - Develop a Patching Strategy

A well-structured strategy can help mitigate common patching issues, preventing downtime from holding your business up and protecting you from security vulnerabilities. Your patching strategy should involve an updated inventory of all network devices, hardware and software which is periodically reviewed to ensure accuracy. A risk assessment should be conducted, where patches are prioritised based on the criticality of the systems and the severity of vulnerabilities. It is also important to define a policy which outlines the frequency, scope, and responsibility for patching.

2 - Test Patches in a Controlled Environment

Before deploying patches across your network, test them in a controlled environment to measure the success of the patch; if any issues occur during this test, only the devices used in the test will be affected. We recommend you use a “Sandbox” or test network that replicates your production environment. However, you could also deploy patches to a small, representative group of systems first to identify potential issues. 

3 - Plan for Downtime

For this step, communication between colleagues is crucial. Those who use the network, especially regular users, should be informed in advance about the scheduled maintenance and potential downtime involved, to prevent unexpected disruptions. We recommend that you plan your patching during low-traffic periods within your daily operations to minimise inconvenience, for customers and staff.

4 - Automate Where Possible

In the current digital age, automated technology is playing a much more frequent role for businesses. Automation can streamline your patching process and reduce human error, getting your IT infrastructure up and running quicker than manual patching would. In line with your patching strategy, schedule regular automated checks for new patches and updates accordingly, and implement patch management software where possible, such as Avast Business Patch Management (Windows only). 

5 - Monitor and Verify Post-Patching

After patches are applied, monitoring is essential to ensure everything is functioning correctly. If there have been any issues during the patching process, you’ll want to catch them as soon as possible. Perform system health checks to verify that systems are operating normally post-patch, and use network monitoring tools to check for any performance degradation. User feedback is important, so encourage your team to report any issues encountered after patching.

6 - Address Compatibility Issues

Unfortunately, compatibility issues are fairly common, especially with legacy systems (an old computer system or application program). The best solution to this is to regularly test patches against all hardware and software configurations and if errors persist, upgrade outdated hardware and software where possible.

7 - Stay Informed

Keeping up with the latest developments in network security and patch management is important. Regular staff training on the latest patch management practices is advantageous, helping relevant employees feel comfortable with your patch management strategy and policy. Community engagement with fellow businesses can be useful for sharing knowledge and solutions to any issues in common you may have.

If you’re concerned about any of the previously mentioned steps, don’t worry. Managed IT support services are there to take care of network patching for you, alongside other IT-related issues you may experience. These services are designed to allow you to focus on important business-related activities, whilst IT experts deal with any digital issues your business is facing. The managed IT services offered by ReformIT are reliable and affordable, suitable for businesses small or large, and apply to IT systems on-site, in the Cloud, or a hybrid of both. 

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We understand that IT issues are tedious for any business that experiences them. At ReformIT, we’re here to look after your IT infrastructure with 24/7 monitoring and a qualified support team ready when you need them. Get in touch with us to discuss how we can help you!

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