Patch Management Policy

This policy outlines the procedures for managing and applying software updates and security patches across your organization's IT infrastructure. It aims to minimize vulnerabilities, enhance system stability, and maintain compliance with ISO 27001 and NIST CSF standards.

Key components:

• Scope: Covers all organizational systems, including servers, workstations, network devices, and applications.
• Roles and responsibilities: Defines who is responsible for patch management tasks, including assessment, testing, and deployment.
• Patch identification: Establishes processes for monitoring vendor notifications and security advisories for relevant patches.
• Risk assessment: Outlines procedures for evaluating patches based on criticality and potential impact.
• Testing: Specifies requirements for testing patches in a non-production environment before deployment.
• Deployment schedule: Defines timeframes for applying patches based on their criticality.
• Emergency patching: Outlines procedures for expedited patching in case of zero-day vulnerabilities or active threats.
• Documentation: Requires maintaining records of all patching activities, including patch details, deployment dates, and any issues encountered.
• Exceptions: Establishes a process for documenting and approving any exceptions to the standard patching schedule.
• Third-party systems: Addresses patch management for systems managed by vendors or third parties.

This policy aligns with ISO 27001's information security management system requirements and NIST CSF's Protect (PR) and Detect (DE) function areas. It aims to reduce cybersecurity risks by ensuring timely application of security updates across the organization's IT environment.