In cybersecurity, the terms “patch management” and “vulnerability management” are often used synonymously. Yet they refer to distinct and complementary approaches.
In our day-to-day work at Infologo, we find that this confusion is commonplace, even among experienced IT managers. Let’s take stock in this article.
Vulnerability management: identifying vulnerabilities
Vulnerability management involves detecting, assessing and prioritizing the security vulnerabilities present in your information system.
In concrete terms, this involves scanning your IT assets to identify installed software and versions, then cross-referencing this information with databases of known vulnerabilities (CVE). Each vulnerability is then evaluated according to a standardized score (CVSS) and prioritized according to its exploitability and the importance of the systems concerned.
The aim is to answer a simple question: where are the open doors in my infrastructure?
Vulnerability management is not limited to software. It can also involve network configurations, user access or hardware vulnerabilities.
Patch management: correcting vulnerabilities
Patch management comes later. It consists in applying the updates provided by the software publishers to correct the flaws detected.
The process includes identifying available patches, testing compatibility with your environment, planning deployment (ideally outside working hours), then verification and documentation.
Patch management answers another question: how do you close open doors?
“We had the case of a fiduciary near Lausanne who thought they were protected because Windows Update was activated. In reality, their workstations were 4 months behind on critical patches – Windows Update was blocked by a GPO forgotten since a change of service provider.”
Two complementary approaches
Vulnerability management identifies and prioritizes risks. Patch management corrects them. One has a broad scope (software, configuration, access), the other focuses on software updates.
One is not enough without the other. Scanning your systems without applying patches is like diagnosing a disease without treating it. Deploying updates without prioritization can cause you to miss critical vulnerabilities.
What we see with our SME customers
“Of the audits we’ve carried out over the last 12 months, the majority of fleets had at least one critical flaw unpatched for more than 60 days. Often, it’s not negligence, it’s just that nobody had a centralized view.”
SMEs are prime targets for attackers: fewer IT resources, often heterogeneous systems, and a false sense of security. The good news: today’s tools make these two disciplines accessible without complex infrastructure.
Our viewpoint
“We still see SMEs who think that “automatic Windows Update” is enough. This is not the case. Third-party applications (browsers, Adobe, business tools) are not covered, and without reporting, you have no visibility on what is really up to date. Patch management worthy of the name is something else.
In practice: how do you put the two together?
Start by mapping your network: identify all the hardware and software on your network. Then run a vulnerability scan to get a clear picture of your exposure.
Prioritize according to risk: not all vulnerabilities are created equal, so focus on those that are being actively exploited. Then automate patch deployment, so you’re no longer dependent on manual intervention. And above all, repeat the process regularly: it’s a continuous cycle, not a one-off project.
Our solution with Action1
To meet these two challenges, we have chosen to partner with Action1, a cloud platform specialized in patch management. The solution enables us to identify vulnerabilities on your workstations and servers, deploy Windows, macOS and third-party application patches automatically, and generate compliance reports that can be used for your audits.
Why Action1? Because the platform is designed for IT service providers like us: multi-tenant, with no infrastructure to install on your premises, and with real-time visibility of the status of your fleet. We use it on a daily basis for our managed services customers.
Infologo supports you on both fronts
At Infologo, we combine vulnerability and patch management in a turnkey package for Swiss SMEs. Our platform identifies your vulnerabilities in real time, prioritizes risks and automatically deploys patches, without disrupting your business.
Want to know where your SME stands? We offer a free audit of your fleet.
