Do you have a documented patch management process?

Explanation

Patch management documentation is what's being checked: the institution wants a formal, written process for applying software patches across your systems. A patch management process outlines how your organization identifies, tests, approves, deploys, and verifies security patches and software updates.

Why it's important in a security assessment:

Unpatched vulnerabilities are one of the most common attack vectors for security breaches
A documented process ensures consistency in how patches are handled
It demonstrates a proactive approach to security maintenance
It shows organizational maturity in IT operations
Many compliance frameworks (like NIST, ISO, PCI DSS) require formal patch management

A good patch management document typically includes:
- Roles and responsibilities for patch management
- Timelines for deploying different types of patches (critical vs. non-critical)
- Testing procedures before deployment
- Deployment strategies (phased rollouts, maintenance windows)
- Exception handling and risk acceptance processes
- Verification and reporting mechanisms

When answering this question, be specific about your documented process rather than just saying 'yes.' Mention key aspects of your process, where the documentation is stored, and how it's maintained and reviewed.

Example Responses

Example Response 1

Yes, we maintain a comprehensive Patch Management Policy and associated procedures document that is reviewed annually Our process includes: (1) Daily automated vulnerability scanning to identify needed patches, (2) Risk-based prioritization where critical patches are deployed within 14 days, high within 30 days, and medium within 60 days, (3) Pre-deployment testing in our QA environment, (4) Scheduled maintenance windows for production deployments, (5) Post-deployment verification, and (6) Monthly patch compliance reporting to our security team The process is documented in our Information Security Management System (ISMS) and accessible to all IT staff through our internal knowledge base.

Example Response 2

Yes, our organization has implemented a formal patch management process as part of our IT Operations Manual The process is overseen by our Infrastructure team and includes automated scanning for available patches using Microsoft SCCM for Windows systems and Ansible for Linux environments Patches are categorized by severity and deployed according to our defined SLAs: emergency patches within 24 hours, critical within 7 days, and non-critical during monthly maintenance windows Our process includes exception handling for systems that cannot be immediately patched due to business constraints, requiring formal risk acceptance and compensating controls The process documentation is reviewed quarterly and updated as needed.

Example Response 3

No, we currently do not have a formally documented patch management process Our IT team handles patches on an ad-hoc basis, typically applying critical security updates when they become aware of them through vendor notifications We recognize this is a gap in our security program and are currently developing a formal patch management policy and procedure document In the interim, we mitigate this risk by using endpoint protection software and network segmentation to protect our systems We expect to have a documented process implemented within the next 90 days, and we'd be happy to share our draft documentation or follow up when the process is finalized.

Context

Tab: Organization
Category: Policies, Processes, and Procedures