One of the most important parts of network and cybersecurity maintenance for healthcare offices is patching devices consistently. Making sure that your devices are up to date with the most recent code versions that your IT infrastructure can support will lower the threat surface for hackers to take advantage of and help maintain the office’s compliances. Patching as often as needed can sometimes get in the way of workflows and potentially slow down or interrupt patient visits when done manually, but healthcare offices can work with an IT consultant to implement patch management services that keep your devices up to date without interrupting your workday!
How Does Patch Management Work?
Patch management is a set of processes that review device and application updates, deploy patches needed to maintain network security, and monitor network devices to better maintain their health. The best part is that an IT consultant may be able to work with your office to have patching completed automatically and at hours that do not overlap with business operations or patient visits, meaning the high-quality care provided to patients won’t be interrupted to patch a device at an inconvenient time. Patch management with an IT consultant allows healthcare practitioners to focus on their patients while their partner in IT helps their environment stay in line with the office’s most recent patching policies to keep devices secure.
Planning Patches
Offices will work with their IT consultant to update or create patching policies that balance the office’s cybersecurity needs with the need for device reliability and efficiency. These policies should outline how often patching is expected, which devices must be patched, and any constraints for specific software or device patching unique to the IT environment. The IT consultant can then help remotely enforce patching policies by either automatically rolling out patches on the network at convenient times or monitoring devices on the network to ensure they comply with patching policies quickly.
Patching Automation
Enforcing patch policies and monitoring every device on the network requires software and applications that your IT consultant will help your office roll out. Many of these services will allow devices to be updated automatically according to the business’ patch policies and require devices to be up to date before they can access the network at the healthcare office. Depending on the services offered by your consultant, patching can be done with a flexible schedule in mind, so some devices can be patched while others are in use or new software patches can be rolled out in small groups that help accommodate your office’s operational needs.
Summary
Patching is required for an office to maintain a strong cybersecurity posture, but it can be an inconvenient process that takes time away from patients and important healthcare related work. With the right patch policies and patch management software, an IT consultant can help your office deploy new patches at times that work best for your business to not interrupt patient care or slow down employee workflows. The Robinett Consulting team wants to help healthcare offices balance security and convenience with their device patching, so our security experts are waiting to provide your healthcare practice with a complimentary consultation to see how we can best help your office keep its device health up to date!
