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Virtual Patching

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harrycollins
Virtual Patching

What is Virtual Patching? Well, it is a method of securing the system against a security vulnerability without the need for a hardware or software patch. With Virtual Patching, a virtual file of the latest patch is first stored in the system and downloaded as needed. It is also possible to apply a variety of patches at one time to improve performance, fix vulnerabilities, or provide for business continuity.

The primary benefit of virtual patching compared to traditional patch management is that it can provide updates even when the operating system is down. With traditional patch management, patches are typically required when the operating system is not vulnerable. Not only can this cause downtime for end-users but it can also be costly to the business. Virtual Patching can ensure that patches are applied automatically even when the system is not vulnerable.

Another key benefit of virtual patching is its highly scalable solution. In most systems, patches require one URL path that includes all the relevant layers required by the update. In a VPS or virtual private server, this can be reduced to one single URL that contains only the files needed. This simplifies the process of deploying patches and greatly reduces the risk of forgetting or missing critical patches.

Virtual patching also has a highly efficient reporting and monitoring mechanism. Unlike traditional patching where patching is performed on physical machines, virtual machines utilize a number of hypervisor isolation techniques to perform patching without issues. With virtual patching, patches are executed in isolated containers on each physical machine. With isolated containers, it is possible to tweak the settings or applications in each container independently which allows for true patching flexibility. One example of this is the ability to patch specific device drivers within a virtual machine. Since hypervisor isolation provides a scalable solution, patches can be quickly and easily deployed to all machines in a large VDI network.

A hypervisor isolation approach is a crucial part of achieving effective virtual patching. In the past, when patches were needed for a wide array of systems and components, patching could take days or even weeks before it was complete. As a result of this, patches would often not be applied on the majority of the VDI network. This resulted in a lower patch quota, higher risk of missing an important vulnerability, and overall downtime for your company.

The advantages of a VPS over a traditional server are plentiful. If you own or manage web applications or have a business that utilizes web applications, it's vital that you understand the importance of patching to your business. Many vulnerabilities in web applications allow an un-guarded system to become a gateway to a hacker's attack on your network. A vulnerability discovery in your network allows attackers to bypass authentication, create malware, or both. In addition, many vulnerabilities are difficult to detect and may not be discovered until after the compromise has already been taken advantage of.

To prevent vulnerabilities from compromising your infrastructure, your team needs to understand and execute dynamic patches, otherwise known as virtual patching. Virtual patching differs from conventional patching in a variety of ways. When you use a VPS, every machine on the network is treated just like a single physical machine. This means that every service that is running has its own patch manager and it is applied at the same time each time. There is no requirement to download a patch from Microsoft when a vulnerability is found. In addition, every VPS runs in its own isolated environment, which makes exploitation or detection much more difficult.

There are multiple reasons why VPS virtual patching can reduce risk to your business and help you stay compliant with the latest security standards. VPS can provide end-to-end application visibility and security, reduced IT costs, dedicated administrative control, better isolation and memory optimization, easier recovery, and more. It's time to stop worrying about whether or not your systems have been patched. Start protecting them now with virtual private servers and patch management.

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