InfoWorld Security Boot Camp: Day 1: Get a handle on the hassle of security patching

September 21 , 2009

WELCOME TO INFOWORLD'S SECURITY BOOT CAMP
Each day, you'll receive a short email detailing your assignment, giving you how-to directions and providing links for further reading. This week, we'll be focusing on addressing potential threats.

YOUR ASSIGNMENT TODAY: Get a handle on the hassle of security patching.

WHY DO IT: The best computer security comes from doing the boring stuff consistently well.

HOW TO DO IT: If you don't have systemwide patch management software, get some. (Your software vendor's the first place to start.) Make sure to patch everything on the computer: the operating system, large applications, browser add-ons, everything. Then, institute a Patch Day – once a week, once a month – where you keep on top of the most recent patches released.

RECOMMENDED READING: " Patching is still trouble," Infoworld.com, the patch management archive at Infoworld.com