Why software updates are critical for security, how BRANDED IAM manages patching across your devices, and what to do if an update breaks something.
Software updates aren't just new features — the vast majority of updates patch security vulnerabilities that attackers actively exploit. Running outdated software is one of the most common ways businesses get compromised.
How We Manage Patching
- Patch Tuesday cadence: Microsoft releases security updates on the second Tuesday of each month. We test and deploy these updates to all managed Windows devices within 7 days of release.
- Critical patches: When a critical zero-day vulnerability is discovered, we may deploy an emergency patch outside the regular schedule. We'll notify you before doing so.
- macOS and third-party software: Updated on a monthly schedule or as critical patches are released.
- Staged deployment: We test updates on a subset of devices first, then roll out to all devices once confirmed stable. This prevents a bad update from affecting your entire team simultaneously.
Restart Requirements
Many updates require a device restart to complete installation. We schedule restarts during off-hours (overnight or weekends) to avoid disrupting your workday. You'll receive advance notice via email when a restart is scheduled for your device.
If an Update Breaks Something
Occasionally, a software update introduces a compatibility issue. If you notice something stopped working after an update, submit a ticket immediately. We maintain rollback capability for OS updates for 30 days, and most third-party software conflicts can be resolved within a few hours.