How to Implement a Patch Management Policy in Your Company (and Automate It with Heimdal Security)

In today’s landscape of growing cybersecurity threats, implementing a patch management policy is no longer optional — it’s essential. Timely software patching is one of the most effective ways to prevent ransomware, malware, and unauthorized access.

In this guide, we walk you through the steps to build a strong patch management strategy and how to automate the process with Heimdal Security, a global leader in enterprise cybersecurity.

What is a Patch Management Policy?

A patch management policy is a formal set of rules that define how your organization handles system and application updates. It helps ensure all devices are protected against known vulnerabilities.

It typically includes:

Which systems and applications to update.
How often patches should be applied.
Who is responsible for the process.

How compliance is monitored.

Step 1: Create an Inventory of Your IT Assets

Before you patch anything, know what you’re working with:

Operating systems (Windows, Linux, etc.).
Third-party apps (Chrome, Zoom, Adobe, etc.).
Endpoints, laptops, servers, mobile devices.

🔧 Heimdal Patch & Asset Management automatically discovers and updates your inventory in real time.

Step 2: Categorize Systems by Risk Level

Not all systems require the same urgency. Classify them as:

Critical: servers, admin workstations, accounting systems.
Medium: general desktops and laptops.
Low: test machines or offline systems.

This prioritization helps ensure high-risk systems are patched first.

Step 3: Define a Patch Schedule

Set up a patching timeline:

Critical security updates: within 24–48 hours.
Non-critical patches: weekly or monthly.
Testing: always test patches in a safe environment before mass deployment.

🕒 Heimdal lets you schedule patch deployments and apply them silently outside of business hours.

Step 4: Automate the Entire Workflow

Automation saves time and reduces human error. With Heimdal, you can:

Detect available patches.
Apply them automatically based on custom policies.
Monitor deployment status with detailed reports.
Integrate with antivirus, firewall, and other tools.

💡 This means your IT team can stay productive while reducing attack surfaces.

Step 5: Assign Roles and Approval Flows

Clearly define responsibilities:

Who approves updates?
Who performs tests?
Who reviews the results?

Larger companies may need a dedicated cybersecurity officer or team to manage the entire patching lifecycle.

Step 6: Review and Audit Regularly

Policies must evolve. Periodic reviews are essential for keeping up with:

New vulnerabilities.
Changes in your IT environment.
Regulatory requirements.

🔍 Heimdal provides real-time compliance reports to identify unpatched systems at a glance.

Final Thoughts: Heimdal Makes Patch Management Easy

Establishing a policy is crucial, but Heimdal Security takes it a step further by automating and simplifying the entire process. From asset discovery to patch deployment and compliance tracking — it’s all in one place.

Ready to streamline your patch management and boost your cybersecurity posture?
👉 Contact us for a free Heimdal Security demo today.