Cloud Patch Management: Best Practices For 2023

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Author: Jason Firch, MBA / Last Updated: 05/16/2023

Reviewed By: Josh Allen

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The best practices in patching cloud environments include automating patch management to speed up application and reduce human error, and implementing continuous patching for immediate security updates. It’s also essential to centralize patch management for consistency and efficiency, adopt a cloud-native approach for scalability, and actively monitor cloud-specific vulnerabilities.

Here’s a fact:

The bad guys are using AI and ML to weaponize malware faster than ever before.

A shocking 57% of data breaches in 2022 were linked to unpatched vulnerabilities, underscoring the critical role of diligent and continuous patch management.

Following the best practices and overcoming the challenges outlined in this article will not only improve your security but will help to optimize your programs operational efficiency and reduce costs.

What is Cloud Patch Management?

Cloud patch management is a process of applying code updates to applications, operating systems, and other data across a cloud network.

It’s kind of like the upkeep you do on your smartphone apps. You know how your apps have updates that come out every so often, fixing security vulnerabilities or adding new features?

That’s kind of like patch management, but instead of just your phone, it’s for all the software apps that companies use and store on the cloud.

Continue Reading: Best Practices For Cloud Vulnerability Management In 2023

Example Of Deploying A Cloud Patch

Imagine a popular cloud-based project management software like Trello discovers a security loophole that could expose user data.

Trello and/or their service provider would quickly develop and release a patch to fix the unintended bug.

If an organization using Trello doesn’t have an effective cloud patch management program in place, they could miss this critical update.

This negligence could leave their project data at risk of exposure and potentially lead to a breach of compliance, fines, and many other detrimental consequences for the organization.

How Frequently Should Patches Be Applied?

At PurpleSec, we’re all about breaking the mold, especially when it comes to patch management.

We’re firm believers in the power of continuous patch management, where security isn’t an afterthought, but a constant priority.

That said, we acknowledge the significance of scoring systems like CVSS and EPSS. They do have a role in helping set the patching agenda.

However, cybercriminals aren’t holding back. They’re leveraging AI and automation to weaponize malware within hours, sometimes minutes, after a vulnerability disclosure.

Despite this, organizations on average take up to 6 months to identify a vulnerability and then an additional 150 days to remediate them.

Like everything in security, patch management is a balancing act. It’s about finding that sweet spot between business impact, cost, and operational execution.

If round-the-clock patching isn’t doable, we strongly recommend a weekly patching cadence at the very least.

At the end of the day, the “too hard” or “too expensive” excuses and deferring risk to expensive consultants and insurance providers just don’t cut it anymore.

Cybersecurity, particularly AI and ML, is evolving at unprecedented speeds. This is truly a digital arms race we cannot afford to be left behind in.

Who Is Responsible For Patching Cloud Environments?

When it comes to patching cloud environments, there are typically three scenarios:

• Cloud Provider Responsibility: In scenarios where you’re using services like (AWS) or Microsoft Azure, they’re the ones taking care of patching their infrastructure, including servers and databases. But remember, patching the software or applications you’re hosting on their platforms is your job.
• Internal IT Staff Responsibility: For businesses with a private cloud or smaller organizations, there’s often a dedicated in-house IT team. These tech teams have the responsibility of patching the systems, ensuring everything runs smoothly and securely.
• Third-Party Security or IT Providers: In many cases, businesses lean on external experts for their patching needs. These third-party providers specialize in maintaining and securing digital environments, which includes staying on top of patch management.

Types Of Cloud Environments & Their Patching Responsibilities

Patching processes can differ depending on the type of cloud environment – be it public, private, or hybrid.

For example, in a public cloud, the service provider is usually responsible for patching the underlying infrastructure, while in a private cloud, the onus typically falls on your own IT department. In hybrid clouds, it’s a mixed bag, requiring a coordinated strategy to patch systems across different environments effectively.

Amazon Web Services (AWS)

The responsibility for patching AWS environments falls on both AWS and the customer. AWS manages infrastructure patches, while customers patch their own instances and applications. To start patching, you need access to AWS Systems Manager Patch Manager, a configured patch baseline, and a maintenance window schedule.

Microsoft Azure

Similarly, Microsoft patches the Azure platform and infrastructure, while customers are responsible for their own virtual machines and applications. To begin patching, you’ll need Azure Automation Update Management, a patching schedule, and a defined update deployment.

Learn More: Windows Patch Management Best Practices

Google Cloud Platform (GCP)

GCP also operates on the shared responsibility model. Google handles the underlying infrastructure, but customers must manage patches for their specific virtual machines and applications. Starting patching requires Google Cloud’s OS Patch Management service, patch deployment configuration, and a defined schedule.

Best Practices For Patching Cloud Environments

So far we’ve discussed what cloud patches are, the recommended frequency of patching cycles, and who is responsible for patching cloud-based systems, let’s explore some of the best practices:

Automate Your Patching

Automating patch management boosts your security ROI in several ways.

First, automation cuts down on the time and labor needed to manually:

• Identify
• Test
• Apply patches

This frees up your IT team for other tasks.

Second, it reduces the risk of human error, which could lead to missed patches and subsequent breaches.

Finally, it speeds up patch application, closing security gaps faster and reducing the chance of exploitation.

Continuously Patch Systems

Instead of waiting for weekly or monthly patching cycles, a continuous patching cadence is able to apply a critical security patch for a recently discovered vulnerability immediately.

This not only prevents potential financial losses from a cyber attack but also saves the costs associated with downtime and reputational damage.

For example, even though Log4j was fixed over a year ago, organizations still suffer data breaches caused by the vulnerability because they lack an effective and continuous patching program.

Overall, it’s a proactive approach that keeps your defenses up-to-date and strengthens the overall ROI of your security.

Implement a Cloud-Specific Patch Management Policy

Cloud environments often involve different stakeholders and responsibilities compared to on-premises setups.

Define a clear policy that outlines the roles, responsibilities, and processes for patch management in your cloud environment.

Make sure to include procedures for testing patches in a non-production environment before deployment.

Have A Strong Asset Management System

A robust asset management system forms the backbone of any successful cloud patch management strategy.

Having a comprehensive inventory of all your assets (hardware, software, and network elements) provides visibility, helping you understand what’s in your environment and where you need to focus your patching efforts

Despite its significance, many organizations struggle with maintaining an effective asset inventory.

The reasons include:

Firstly, the dynamic nature of cloud environments, where assets can be rapidly spun up or down, can make tracking them a challenging task if you do not have the right tools in place or if they’re misconfigured.

Secondly, the task often falls between the cracks due to a lack of ownership. It’s not always clear whether the IT department, the security team, or the individual service owners should be responsible for it.

Lastly, many organizations lack the necessary tools or skills needed to automate the patching process. Consequently, organizations are left with incomplete or outdated asset inventories.

Centralize Patch Management

Centralized patch management is the practice of managing and deploying patches from a single, unified system, rather than handling each system or application individually.

This approach is especially important in cloud environments due to their scale and complexity.

Centralizing patch management brings consistency, ensures all systems are updated promptly, and reduces the risk of missed patches which could leave systems vulnerable.

Organizations can centralize patch management either in-house or through a managed security provider.

In-house centralization requires robust IT resources, including appropriate software tools, processes, and skilled personnel.

Alternatively, managed security providers, such as PurpleSec, offer a fully automated and continuous patch management service.

Adopt A Cloud-Native Approach

A cloud-native approach refers to building and running applications that exploit the advantages of the cloud computing delivery model.

This approach typically involves using containerization, microservices, and continuous integration/continuous delivery (CI/CD) pipelines.

It’s a key best practice for patch management in cloud environments due to its efficiency and scalability.

For instance, a cloud-native patch management system can be programmed to automatically scale and apply patches across hundreds or even thousands of virtual machines in a cloud environment in minutes.

In a traditional setup, this process could take hours or even days due to the manual effort involved.

Moreover, in the case of a sudden increase in workload, the cloud-native system can rapidly scale up to handle the demand, ensuring that all systems are patched promptly and reducing the window of vulnerability.

Overcoming The Challenges With Cloud Patch Management

Managing patches in the cloud isn’t always as easy, but here are five ways to overcome the most common patching challenges:

Test Patches Before Deployment

You should always validate patches in a controlled environment before implementing them system-wide because they can sometimes lead to unexpected compatibility issues or system crashes.

The ideal solution involves a two-step process:

1. Deploy patches in a staging environment mirroring your live setup.
2. Observe their impact, compatibility, and performance.

If they pass this “litmus test,” proceed with the deployment across your cloud infrastructure. This mitigates risk, ensuring system stability and security.

Educate Staff About the Importance of Patching

All employees within an organization should be at least aware or understand the necessity and value of timely patch updates.

Employees often perceive patching as a disruption, yet they are the first line of defense and the most vulnerable to cyber attacks, with over 90% of data breaches due to insider threats.

Learn More: How To Implement Social Engineering Awareness Training

In this case, insider threat can mean with or without malicious intent.

To address this, hold regular training sessions emphasizing the importance of patching for the organization’s cybersecurity and highlight relevant examples of breaches caused by unpatched vulnerabilities.

Develop A Backup Strategy

Sometimes a patch may lead to unexpected issues that can’t be quickly resolved.

A well-planned and cloud-based backup strategy allows for quick system restoration in such cases, minimizing downtime.

To solve this, organizations should incorporate regular and automated backups as part of their cloud patch management strategy.

Further, they should ensure that backup copies are stored securely, and restoration procedures are tested regularly for reliability.

Regularly Review and Update Your Patch Management Strategy

Cloud environments are constantly changing, and your patch management strategy should evolve along with it.

Regular reviews should be conducted to assess the effectiveness of your strategy and make necessary changes.

This ensures continued effectiveness and alignment with your business needs.

You should conduct regular audits to evaluate your current patch management strategy’s effectiveness and adjust your methods, tools, and practices based on these findings.

This could include automating more processes, integrating new tools, or refining your vulnerability response times.

Leverage Expertise Of Security Professionals

As cloud environments grow in complexity, in-house teams may lack the necessary skills or resources to stay on top of all patch management tasks.

This can lead to overlooked threats and increases in process times.

By collaborating with a security service provider, you can tap into specialized knowledge and resources.

These providers can help identify vulnerabilities, automate patch deployment, and provide ongoing management, allowing your internal team to focus on strategic tasks and maximizing your security efficiency.

PurpleSec’s Patch Management As A Service

Traditional methods of scaling a security solution can be labor-intensive and far from cost-effective.

Imagine having to manually scan and patch every single endpoint in your business as you grow – each new device or software addition would require individual attention, diverting valuable resources away from your core business activities.

That’s hours of work and potential downtime that could be avoided with our automated, scalable solution.

With PurpleSec, you can focus on growing your business, knowing that your cybersecurity measures are scaling right along with you.

Our patch management services solve SMBs’ challenges with features designed to be scalable, efficient, and cost-effective.

For only $240/year, we offer a fully automated, continuous scanning and patching solution.

This system not only identifies vulnerabilities but also patches them automatically, providing a hassle-free approach to maintaining vulnerabilities.

As an added bonus, we include security policies ($500+ value) at no additional cost, ensuring that your cybersecurity practices are always in line with the best industry standards.