In cybersecurity, it’s often the small things that trip you up. A missed update. A forgotten patch. An outdated system running in the background. For many businesses, especially those operating in a hybrid work environment, these overlooked details can become entry points for major security breaches.
This was a growing concern for a global research firm, whose distributed workforce and mixed use of personal and company devices made it increasingly difficult to keep endpoints consistently patched. Despite a well-managed IT environment, the sheer scale and complexity of devices created a dangerous cybersecurity blind spot.
57% of data breaches are caused by unpatched vulnerabilities. It’s a sobering statistic, and one that this firm couldn’t ignore any longer. Their internal IT team was already stretched thin managing core operations, leaving limited bandwidth to stay ahead of the ever-expanding patching workload.
Missed updates were becoming a technical nuisance and represented real and growing exposure. The firm needed a way to close security gaps quickly, but without adding pressure to their internal resources.
Working closely with the firm’s IT leadership, Wavex rolled out a fully automated patch management strategy designed to build a foundation of proactive security hygiene that could scale with the organisation.
Here’s how the Wavex automated patch management solution transformed their cybersecurity posture:
1. Automated Patch Management at Scale
By implementing centralised, policy-driven patch automation, updates were pushed out reliably and silently in the background, eliminating the need for manual intervention or user-triggered updates. This reduced the typical “patching window” from days (or weeks) to hours, significantly strengthening endpoint protection.
2. Comprehensive Endpoint Coverage
The solution extended beyond corporate laptops to cover BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) scenarios as well. Leveraging Microsoft Intune, Conditional Access policies, and endpoint security best practices, patches were applied consistently while ensuring only compliant and secure devices could access corporate resources.
3. Zero Disruption, Maximum Impact
All patching was done behind the scenes, with no impact on employee productivity. Unlike traditional approaches that might require forced reboots or late-night deployments, our setup ensured business continuity without compromising the effectiveness of IT security operations.
The automated patching management overhaul streamlined the IT processes and had a measurable impact on the organisation’s overall cyber resilience and operational effectiveness:
At Wavex, we believe that improving cybersecurity hygiene starts with addressing the basics and doing them better than anyone else. Our approach to proactive patch management combines automation, visibility, and policy control to help businesses close their most common attack vectors, without disrupting operations.
Whether you’re looking to secure a hybrid workforce, improve compliance, or simply reduce your attack surface, our cybersecurity solutions are designed to support your goals with minimal overhead and maximum impact.
Don’t wait for a breach to highlight your gaps. Let’s close them before they open.
Get in touch with us to bolster your security posture and safeguard your business against evolving threats, proactively, efficiently, and confidently.
1Outdated Software – A Ticking Bomb in Backups
1. What is proactive patch management, and why is it important?
Proactive patch management involves regularly updating software and systems to fix vulnerabilities before they can be exploited. It’s a fundamental step in maintaining strong security hygiene and preventing common cyberattacks.
2. How does automated patch management improve security hygiene?
Automation ensures patches are applied promptly and consistently across all devices, reducing the risk of human error or missed updates. This helps close security gaps quickly without adding extra workload on IT teams.
3. Can patch management help with compliance requirements?
Yes. Many security standards and regulations, including Cyber Essentials Plus, require organisations to maintain up-to-date software to protect sensitive data. Effective patch management supports meeting these compliance obligations.
4. How do hybrid work environments impact patch management?
Hybrid setups often mean employees use a variety of personal and corporate devices in different locations, making it harder to track and apply updates manually. Automated patch management ensures all endpoints stay protected regardless of location.
5. What risks do unpatched systems pose to businesses?
Unpatched systems are vulnerable to malware, ransomware, and data breaches. In fact, studies show that over half of data breaches are linked to unpatched software, making timely patching a critical defence.
6. How can patch management be implemented without disrupting daily operations?
Automated patching solutions can schedule updates during off-hours or low-usage times, ensuring systems remain secure without impacting employee productivity.
7. Is patch management only about software updates?
No. It also includes updating firmware, drivers, and other system components to address security weaknesses comprehensively across the IT environment.
