27.1. The Four Phases of Patch Management

Installing updates on the computers on your organization's network is critical to protect the security of the network and to keep the organization's client computers performing optimally. How updates are rolled out on your network requires planning and testing to ensure a successful installation. Microsoft recommends a four-phase approach to patch management, as shown in Figure 27.1. Each of the four phases is discussed in the following sections. You can find more detailed information on the four phases on the Microsoft TechNet website at http://technet.microsoft.com/library/cc700845.aspx.

27.1.1. Phase 1: Assess

The Assess phase is when you look at your current patch management policies and procedures, collect information about the computers on your network, and determine the effectiveness of your current patch management infrastructure.