Cybersecurity remains a top priority in today’s digital landscape. While Microsoft license management and support are core focuses of Opkalla’s services, maintaining a strong security posture is equally critical. That’s why it’s essential to stay informed about Microsoft’s Patch Tuesday updates.

It's Not a Gimmick

A name like 'Patch Tuesday' might suggest a marketing gimmick to some organizations. Rest assured that Patch Tuesday is anything but. In fact, it is one of the most anticipated monthly events in cybersecurity. Nearly every system administrator and IT security expert who works with Microsoft products looks forward to it.

What It Is and How It Started

It goes without saying that Patch Tuesday isn't exclusively a Microsoft license management thing. In fact, it is not about licensing at all. Patch Tuesday is a Microsoft effort to release security updates and patches on a regular schedule. That schedule just happens to be the second Tuesday of every month.

The history of Patch Tuesday goes back to 2003 and a previously unknown vulnerability known as the Blaster worm. Blaster wreaked widespread havoc on computers and networks when it was first introduced into the wild.

Part of Microsoft's response was to come up with a way to introduce security updates and patches in a short enough cycle to protect MS computers and networks against future widespread malware attacks. They settled on the second Tuesday of each month and set the wheels in motion.

How the Cycle Works

Well in advance of the next Patch Tuesday, Microsoft Security Response Center (MSRC) staff does its due diligence to identify and prioritize vulnerabilities to its software. They look at issues with the Windows operating system along with all of Microsoft's other products – including MS365, the company's flagship office suite.

Next, the team gets to work developing and testing patches to address each vulnerability. They must ensure that each patch is stable before release. Patches cannot be allowed to introduce new issues either.

Patches accumulate over the one-month development cycle. Then, on the next designated Patch Tuesday, Microsoft releases all the accumulated updates through a variety of channels. Some users get the updates through Windows Update while others might get them through the Microsoft Update Catalog. There are other channels as well.

It is up to system administrators and IT pros to deploy the patches accordingly. Patches are applied to workstations, servers and Microsoft-powered mobile devices.

Why It Should Matter to You

As an organization with active Microsoft licenses, Patch Tuesday should be important to your system admins and IT security team. Licenses give your organization the legal right to use Microsoft products in your business, but licensing does nothing to maintain and enhance security.

Patch Tuesday's predictable schedule allows your organization to plan accordingly. By keeping up with patches and updates, system admins and security teams can reduce the risk of delayed patching opening your organization to vulnerabilities. For Microsoft's part, the monthly release cycle makes it easier by allowing them to release patches cumulatively rather than doing each one as it's made available.

There are some challenges that come with the Patch Tuesday program; however, they do not stack up against the potential problems that come with remaining vulnerable.

Even if your organization's main concern is Microsoft license management, system admins and IT team members should pay attention to cybersecurity. In the meantime, Opkalla is available to assist you with all your Microsoft licensing and support issues. Contact us today!

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