Key Points
- Definition of a Computer Patch: A patch is a piece of code that updates software or operating systems to fix bugs, close security vulnerabilities, and improve functionality.
- Examples of Patches: Operating system updates (e.g., Windows, macOS, Linux) often bundle security patches, bug fixes, and new features to enhance performance and protect devices.
- Why Patches Matter:
- Cybersecurity protection: Prevents breaches, malware, ransomware, and data leaks.
- Improved performance: Enhances software functionality, reliability, and user experience.
- Regulatory compliance: Helps organizations meet HIPAA, GDPR, and other data protection standards by reducing risks from unpatched systems.
- Types of Software Patches:
- Bug patches correct errors and stabilize performance.
- Security patches fix vulnerabilities to stop cyberattacks.
- Feature patches add new capabilities or enhancements.
- Patch Management Process: Involves identifying, testing, and deploying patches across devices and endpoints to ensure secure, efficient operations.
- Patch Management Software Benefits: Automates patch deployment, provides vulnerability data, reporting, and compliance tracking, and reduces human error in IT environments.
- Business Impact: Unpatched systems expose organizations to cybersecurity threats, downtime, and compliance penalties; automated patch management helps mitigate risk and maintain IT efficiency.
The amount of technology is growing exponentially as people and organizations undergo digital transformation. As a result, more information and data are found online and on machines than ever before. It’s important to keep this data safe in properly functioning software on devices and machines, which is why applying patches is a critical task in IT security.
What is a patch?
Patches are pieces of code that provide updates to software or operating systems. The purpose of a patch is to fix any bugs in the software to minimize any existing vulnerabilities, and thus avoid exploitation. Patches may also be applied to fix the functionality of a program or system.
Example of a computer patch
One example of a patch is an operating system update on a computer. This update is sent to a user’s device to address any bugs in the system or functionality of the system. Often this update is packaged with new features for the device. This helps motivate the user to continually update their computers because they’ll want the new features which simultaneously increase the protection and security of the device. If you want more examples, explore our Microsoft KB Catalog page to stay informed.
Why is it called a “patch”?
Computer programming at one point used a certain type of card you would punch holes in. This “punched card coding” was read by a machine and, based on the pattern of hole punches, it would translate this code into data or compute in a particular way.
If a bug or an issue was detected in one of the punched cards, they would need to apply a patch. In this case, either tape or cardboard was physically placed to cover the hole. When this was done, a machine could no longer detect the hole and it would pass over it.
Historically, computer patching was literally about patching up a hole in the card to fix an issue. The term “patch” has stuck around since then, and it still applies to fixing computer software and systems.
Why are patches important?
Patches are important because of the multiple benefits they provide, which include:
Increased device and data security
IT security and the prevention of breaches have become an increasingly large concern among the IT community. Patches work to prevent the unauthorized leakage of data to keep people and organizations safe.
Enhanced software functionality
Developers are always looking to improve how their software works to provide a better and more seamless user experience. This also helps to fix bugs and prevent any problems with software performance.
Better organizational compliance
Compliance guideline — such as HIPAA for healthcare data confidentiality or GDPR for general data protection and privacy in the EU — are set for the purpose of protecting critical data. Patches enable businesses to better protect a client or customer’s personal data; specially, applying patches reduces risks that could otherwise result in non-compliance.
Otherwise, unpatched software presents a huge security risk that leaves anyone from an individual to an organization open to a cyberattack. Learn more about IT horror stories and why unpatched software hurts businesses.
Types of software patches
There are multiple types of patches that can be applied to software. TechTarget says software patches fall into three different categories, which are:
1. Bug patches
Bug patches are administered to fix any identified problems in the software. These kinds of patches help to smooth out the system and make sure it runs properly.
2. Security patches
Security patches make the software more secure by fixing or addressing any known vulnerabilities in it.
3. Feature patches
Feature patches provide the software with new capabilities or functionality, helping to update it and make it more user-friendly.
What does a patch actually do?
Patches are applied systematically to systems and software using patch management. This is the process of identifying, testing, and distributing software patches to various types of endpoints, depending on what needs to be patched.
When a patch has been applied to the particular software or system on an endpoint that needs to be fixed, it will update the coding so that it
- fixes an issue,
- mitigates a vulnerability, or
- makes it more functional by adding a feature or smoothing out the program.
An organizations’ IT teams will usually have an outlined patch management process that they abide by. This helps to ensure that all available machine patches are discovered, correctly tested, and effectively deployed to the specified devices within the organization.
Get insight into how to improve your organization’s patch management in our
For a visual explanation, see the video guide “What Is a Computer Patch?”
Patch management software
Within a business, it’s impossible to effectively organize and distribute patches to endpoint devices without some type of manual tool. This, is where patch management software comes in, which is specially designed to make it easy for IT teams to patch their endpoints.
Features of this software— such as patch automation, vulnerability data, and patch reporting— all help to make the patch management process as streamlined and problem-free as possible.
To ensure that patch management software is used to its full potential, IT teams follow these patch management best practices.
Learn about patch management
Patches not only are an important component of IT security but also help machines and devices run efficiently, which is why patch management is such a crucial process.
To find out more about patch management and how it helps organizations locate, test, and distribute patches, read this patch management overview.
In addition, NinjaOne provides patch management software for IT teams to help them manage and deploy their patches across Windows, macOS, and Linux endpoint devices. This solution performs operating system (OS) and application patching and can generate patching reports so IT teams can determine whether their devices are patched effectively.
Sign up for a free trial of this software today.
