In the world of IT security, attention often goes to firewalls, encryption, and multi-factor authentication. But there’s a hidden vulnerability that frequently gets overlooked: patch management. It’s not the most glamorous aspect of IT, but it’s essential. Failing to patch systems properly can leave the door wide open for cyberattacks—and the consequences can be disastrous.

What Makes Patch Management So Critical?

Patch management is the process of applying updates to software, operating systems, and applications to fix vulnerabilities. These patches, issued regularly, are meant to address known security flaws, improve functionality, or enhance performance. But here’s the catch: for patch management to work, it needs to be at 100%.

Unlike other security measures, where partial success can still provide some protection, patch management is an all-or-nothing endeavor. One unpatched system can expose an entire network. A recent study revealed that 60% of organizations that experienced a breach said it could have been prevented by applying an available patch.

The Risks of Neglecting Patch Management

Several incidents in the hospitality industry serve as cautionary tales of the dangers of overlooking patch management. In one case, a major hotel brand experienced a breach that compromised over 600,000 customer records. Hackers exploited outdated systems, gaining access to sensitive information, including credit card details. The company’s failure to patch vulnerabilities in its systems ultimately led to a multimillion-dollar lawsuit and significant reputational damage.

Another hotel group faced a similar fate when hackers gained access to hundreds of thousands of guests’ credit card information across multiple locations. The security breach occurred in part due to outdated systems that hadn’t been properly patched, exposing the company to avoidable risks. These incidents highlight the importance of timely and thorough patching as part of a robust cybersecurity strategy.

The Challenge: It’s Constant

Staying ahead of patches is a continuous process. According to the National Vulnerability Database, organizations face an average of 50 new vulnerabilities per day. And it’s not just about applying patches—it’s about applying them quickly. Even a delay of a few days can give cybercriminals the opportunity they need to exploit known vulnerabilities, especially with the rise of zero-day attacks.

This constant cycle of identifying, prioritizing, testing, and deploying patches can overwhelm even the most seasoned IT teams. For many businesses, the complexity of modern IT environments makes patching a daunting task. Many companies have a mix of legacy systems, cloud applications, and third-party software, each requiring regular updates. Add to that the challenge of avoiding system downtime, and it’s easy to see how patching often slips through the cracks.

Why Patch Management Often Falls Through the Cracks

  • Complex IT Environments: Managing patches across a wide variety of hotel IT systems can be a logistical nightmare. In fact, systems can be particularly challenging in the hospitality industry, researchers estimate that the average computer needs about 76 patches per year from 22 different vendors.
  • Resource Constraints: Many hospitality IT departments are understaffed, leaving little time to focus on routine patching.
  • Downtime Concerns: Applying patches often requires taking systems offline, which can disrupt hotel operations.

Managed IT Services: A Solution for Seamless Patch Management

This is where a Managed Service Provider (MSP) like Cloud5 comes in. By outsourcing patch management to an MSP, hotel companies can better ensure that no vulnerability is left unpatched. Automated patching, combined with expert MSP oversight, guarantees that systems are updated without interrupting hotel-critical operations. Proactive monitoring and timely patching prevent vulnerabilities from being exploited in the first place.

Effective patch management has been shown to reduce the risk of data breaches by up to 40%, according to industry studies. Partnering with an experienced managed services provider helps ensure that patching doesn’t fall through the cracks and that your IT environment remains secure.

Other benefits of outsourcing patch management include:

  • Time savings: Outsourcing patch management to an MSP can save time.
  • Reduced workload: Outsourcing to an MSP reduces the workload for IT teams, allowing them to focus on other priorities.
  • Automatic patching: The most effective MSP providers can automatically apply patches to avoid gaps.
  • Reporting: MSP providers can provide detailed reporting on an organization’s IT infrastructure.
  • Vulnerability assessments: An MSP can perform vulnerability assessments that identify, quantify, and prioritize security weaknesses in your systems.
  • Policy creation: A trusted MSP can provide expert guidance in creating patch management policy for your entire organization.

The Bottom Line: Patch or Perish

Patch management may not be the most exciting part of IT security, but it’s absolutely essential. As the security breaches in the hospitality industry outlined above illustrate, even one missed patch can have devastating consequences. With the growing number of cyberattacks and the increasing complexity of IT environments, patching isn’t optional—it’s critical.

For businesses in hospitality and beyond, working with an MSP like Cloud5 ensures that patching is always up-to-date, always reliable, and never an afterthought.