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What is a Software Patch?
Whenever your PC prompts you to ‘install updates,’ it’s telling you that one or more of your programs needs a patch. Patches are add-ons that modify currently installed software in some useful way, strengthening security, adding new features, or improving performance. Developers sometimes call them bug fixes since they often repair a vulnerability or imperfection discovered after a new software version has been launched.
There was a time when patches and Microsoft were almost synonymous terms – that happens when you make the world’s most popular desktop operating system (OS). Today software products of every stripe need regular fixes to keep them stable and secure.
Key Takeaways
- Patches are packages of code designed to improve the way currently installed applications work.
- They can strengthen security, ensure stability, or add desired features.
- Patches are sometimes called ‘bug fixes’ or ‘system updates’, depending on the size and scale of the changes they make.
- For IT teams, managing patches can be a complex and time-consuming undertaking.
- As software and systems become more rich in functionality, patches have become a regular part of the software production lifecycle.
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Why are Software Patches Important?
Whether it’s Mac, PC, or mobile, applications, and operating systems have all become richer in functionality and require ever more lines of code to deliver what they promise. That sometimes creates complications or unforeseen conflicts with other systems.
It also opens the door to unexpected security vulnerabilities that cybercriminals are keen to exploit. Patches are a way to address live problems on the fly, while developers come up with even better and more resilient solutions they can write into the next published version of the application.
How Software Patching Works
Software patches often happen ad hoc following discovery of a security vulnerability or user complaints about a glitch or bug. If developers anticipate changes that will be needed at a later date (perhaps in response to coming regulation or an expected operating system change), patches can also be a scheduled part of an application’s production lifecycle.
Patches to enterprise software are often deployed as executable (.exe) files and range in size or complexity. If a software company calls it a patch, the change is probably minor (though still necessary). ‘Software updates’ usually refer to a more comprehensive alteration. Different companies use different terms.
Microsoft typically delivers service packs for Windows, while IBM calls its enterprise software patches ‘FixPacks.’ Open source patches can alter the source code itself, meaning developers are responsible for applying the patch when they use the open source application.
Types of Software Patches
Software patches typically fall into one of three types:
- Bug fixes that correct problems and help the software run more smoothly.
- Security patches that close a security vulnerability.
- Feature patches that add new functionality to an application.
Manual vs. Automatic Updates
Operating systems can be set to install patches automatically or after review by an end user or IT manager. Automatic updates can save time and effort, though some users might prefer more control, saying ‘yes’ to some patches and ‘no’ to others.
With manual updates, the process is done by hand to provide more flexibility. For example, an operating system update might be so large and time-consuming that it needs to be scheduled for a different day, or an enterprise feature update might need to be configured specifically to avoid compatibility issues. Automation
How to Find Out What Software Updates You Need to Install
Most endpoints (laptops, smartphones, tablets, etc) give users options for being alerted about pending patches and how and when they can be installed, while OS vendors normally publish information about software patches and updates on their website service pages.
For IT teams, using a vendor’s website helps ensure that patches are downloaded from a trusted source, which may also offer user reviews and additional guidance around use cases.
Software Update Best Practices
IT teams engaged in patch management follow standard practices that ensure updates are installed systematically, keeping everything secure and minimizing disruption.
These include:
Role of Software Patches in Cybersecurity
A security patch is especially important because it addresses known security risks and vulnerabilities. Whenever a vendor releases a security patch, cybercriminals learn that an exploit exists in that piece of software and start looking for ways to break in and steal data or gain access to networks. The sooner an organization installs a security patch, the faster it eliminates the risk of a breach.
Software Patch Examples
The best example of patching is the regular notifications most of us receive from Apple or Microsoft alerting us about pending software ‘updates.’ In both cases the operating system has a built-in mechanism for installing and confirming each patch, meaning end users have only to say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ and then wait while the update utility handles the install.
With the shift to the cloud, Software as a service (SaaS) enterprise software patches can happen almost as easily, executing in the background during periods of low usage so as not to impact users or performance. For operating system updates on individual computers or other endpoints, IT teams are often given a special program to help manage and deploy patch installations. The process of identifying, scheduling, and installing patches is called patch management.
Software Patch Challenges
Managing patches for a large organization can be time-consuming. Automation can alleviate some of the workload, but some patches need to be reviewed and installed manually. Manually patching individual devices on a network can be a slow and frustrating process.
Lack of endpoint visibility can add more complexity. IT managers need to know which devices have which versions of an OS or software product, which ones have had a given patch installed, and those that haven’t. An endpoint management system can provide that visibility; however, finding the right one can be a challenge.
Remote and hybrid working also make patch management harder. Some employees use a mix of personal and corporate devices when they work outside the office, and this can obscure endpoint visibility further.
The Bottom Line
Software patches help keep your software stable, secure, glitch-free, and up-to-date with the latest functionality. A patch, by definition, repairs torn software and helps keep systems, users, and data safe. Patches can also give software additional capabilities.
