The 5 Controls of Cyber Essentials – Patch management/ Keeping your devices up to date
Leo Daniels • December 1, 2020
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Keeping your devices and software up to date is of the utmost importance. If you do not you are leaving yourself open to problems and potentially irreparable damage to your computer systems. It is very important to keep both work and home devices up to date; just because your devices are at home does not mean they are immune to attacks or problems!
Some think that when manufacturers release updates it is purely for them to enjoy new features. This is part of the reason, but their main function is to fix any security vulnerabilities that have been discovered. There is little that is more important than doing these updates when it comes to the security of your device; set them to automatic wherever possible.
When a device gets old it can reach the end of its life – some do not know that all IT has a lifespan. Technology is ever-evolving, and we are constantly innovating – finding new ways to get the most out of our tech and be as secure as possible.
In the meantime, malware is forever evolving to combat our defences wherever possible. Therefore, updates need to be regular, sometimes more regularly than you might want them to be but, with the constant evolution, that is unlikely to slow down anytime soon, it is essential to do them. If your device is no longer supported by updates you should consider a modern replacement that is backed up by the manufacturer to be sure that you are cyber safe.
Vulnerabilities
Vulnerabilities (Security flaws) can be found in any device that runs software. Criminals move quickly to take advantage of these vulnerabilities, attacking computers and networks often for financial gain.
Cyber Essentials – The requirements
You must install updates within two weeks of their release date if the vendor describes the patch as fixing the flaws labelled as ‘critical’ or ‘high’. Your software must be up to date wherever possible; it must also be licensed and supported. Take care to remove the software from devices immediately as soon as it is no longer supported.
Cyber Essentials – The Objective
Ensure that devices and software are not vulnerable to known security issues for which fixes are available.
We’re 1-fix, we can help you secure your business
At 1-fix, we take a realistic approach to technology – ensuring our client’s systems are best protected.
If you have any concerns, questions or simply want to explore how to better secure your business, please do get in touch with the team for a FREE demonstration, consultation to explore how exposed your business might be and identify actions to take. If you have any questions, concerns or would like to discuss how we might help you with your regulatory challenges, we’d love to chat. Please click the banner below to book a call, or contact us straight away on 0118 926 0084 or by email to info@1-fix.com.
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