When it comes to cyber security, a proactive approach is always best. The average cost of a data breach has reached over $4 million as of last year. Add to this the less tangible costs – client trust, data loss, and legal issues – and it quickly becomes clear that you can’t afford to simply hope an attack doesn’t happen. Preventative measures are more important than ever.
Unfortunately, many businesses still don’t know how to defend themselves. Cyber security can be a complex art, especially when strict data protection regulations are thrown into the mix. To help, the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) has developed a framework designed with accessibility and scalability in mind. One important but often overlooked part of this framework is operating system patch management – a critical step in preventing cyber-attacks.
What are the ACSC Essential 8 Controls?
The ACSC Essential 8 controls are designed to provide a security baseline that protects your business from common threats. They are built to be practical and effective regardless of size or capabilities, focusing on areas that consistently prove to be weak points.
The controls are as follows:
- Application Control
- Patch Applications
- Configure Microsoft Office Macro Settings
- User Application Hardening
- Restrict Administrative Privileges
- Patch Operating Systems
- Multi-Factor Authentication
- Regular Backups
These controls provide a clear roadmap, allowing you to drastically improve your security without having to rely on guesswork.
Why Operating System Patch Management is Important
Outdated systems typically contain security vulnerabilities and gaps. Threat actors are constantly scanning for these weak points, and using modern tactics to exploit them. Once a flaw is discovered, vendors release a security patch to fix the issue. But they are only effective if they’re actually applied.
Delaying or ignoring updates leaves you completely vulnerable. A compromised operating system could give threat actors full control over your systems, allowing them to steal data or deploy malware throughout your network. Patching these weaknesses out helps maintain the integrity and security of your entire digital infrastructure.
Essential 8: Patching Your Operating System
Follow these steps to effectively patch operating systems:
Step 1: Inventory Your Operating Systems
Identify the operating systems in use across your network. This includes those used on desktops, laptops, servers, and virtual machines. If your workplace uses a remote or hybrid model, remember to take into account these less-visible endpoints.
Step 2: Classify Systems Based on Risk
Not all systems are of equal importance. Sort your inventory by usage type and sensitivity – for instance, a public-facing server hosting sensitive data requires stricter patching policies than a single-purpose admin workstation.
Step 3: Establish a Patch Management Policy
Document how your business will approach patching. Clearly define:
- How often patches will be applied
- Timeframes for critical and non-critical updates
- Who is responsible for ensuring all operating systems are correctly patched
- How patch failures will be handled
For any vulnerability that is rated as an “extreme risk”, please note that the ACSC recommends applying security patches within 48 hours of release. Non-critical patches should be applied within two weeks of release.
Step 4: Leverage Automated Updates
Some operating systems, such as Windows, automate the update process. To ensure they are applied promptly, disable the ability to pause updates (this can be done in the computer configuration settings). This reduces the risk associated with human error.
Step 5: Update Manually Where Necessary
In some cases, you may need to manually check for an operating system update. Do this on a regular schedule, so that nothing gets missed. The method for doing this will depend on the system you use.
When manually applying patches, use a test environment first – especially for major updates that may temporarily disable the device. This will help you prepare for any disruptions that might occur.
Step 6: Keep a Paper Trail
Keep thorough logs of applied patches and updates, failures, and potential security risks. A strong paper trail will keep you on track and help demonstrate compliance with data security standards if necessary. It also allows your team to detect patterns – such as recurring update failures – that may require further investigation.
Step 7: Stay Informed
Be proactive and stay informed about new vulnerabilities found within your operating systems. Often, the vendor providing the system will give public updates about major security risks they’ve detected. This will let you know about any especially critical patches you need to watch for.
Patch Systems Now to Prevent Major Security Threats Later
Patching is one of the most effective defenses you can employ against cyber-attacks. When done consistently and quickly, it closes security gaps before they can be exploited and vastly reduces your likelihood of falling victim to a data breach. Like all of the ACSC’s Essential 8 controls, it’s a simple and accessible measure everyone can implement.
The team at iCare Cyber understands the importance of keeping security simple. You don’t have time to fiddle with complex measures that might not even work when you need them most. Why not let us take care of everything for you, so you can focus on actually running your business? Get in touch to start a discussion about how we can help.
FAQs
A "Zero-Day" is a security hole that hackers find before the software company even knows it exists. It is called "Zero-Day" because the company has had zero days to fix it. When these are discovered, software makers release an "Emergency Patch." Unlike regular updates that you might schedule the weekend, emergency patches should be installed immediately—often within 48 hours—because hackers are already actively using that hole to break into computers.
Yes, this is a common worry for many businesses. Sometimes a new update changes the way the computer works, which might cause an older piece of software or a specific printer driver to stop working. To avoid this, you should:
Test First: Install the patch on one non-essential computer to see if everything still runs correctly.
Create a Backup: Always have a "System Restore" point or a full backup ready, so you can undo the update if it causes a major crash.
Check Vendor Sites: Look at the websites of your most important business apps to see if they have confirmed the new update is safe to use.
"End of Life" is a date set by companies like Microsoft or Apple when they stop making any more patches or security updates for an old version of an operating system (like Windows 7 or 8). Even if you have the best antivirus, an EOL system is like a house with a door that cannot be locked. Since no more patches are being created, any new holes found by hackers will stay open forever. The only way to stay compliant with Essential 8 is to upgrade to a newer, supported version.
Yes, knowing the difference helps you prioritize your work. Feature updates add new "looks" or tools to your computer, like a new menu style or a faster web browser; these are nice to have but not urgent. Security patches are "digital bandages" that fix specific weaknesses that hackers use to steal data. For Essential 8, you should always focus on getting the security patches installed first, as they are the ones that actually protect your business from cyberattacks.
When staff work remotely, their computers aren't always connected to the office network. This makes patching harder. To solve this, you can use:
Cloud-Based Management: Tools that send updates over any internet connection, so the worker doesn't have to be in the office.
Automatic Windows Updates: Setting the computers to download and install updates automatically from the internet.
Compliance Checks: Using "Conditional Access" which blocks a laptop from connecting to the company's files if it hasn't been updated recently.