Keeping software up to date sounds simple – but in reality, it’s one of the most persistent and underestimated challenges in IT. With dozens (or even hundreds) of third-party applications, hybrid infrastructures, remote endpoints, and compliance demands, patch management quickly becomes a full-time battle. And when it slips – even slightly – the consequences can be severe.

In 2025, cyber threats are not only more frequent but also more opportunistic. While major vulnerabilities often dominate the headlines, the reality is that many successful attacks still come down to something far simpler: unpatched software.

According to a Ponemon Institute study, 60% of organizations that suffered a data breach said it was due to a known vulnerability for which a patch was available but not applied.
This finding highlights a painful truth: manual patch management simply can’t keep up with the speed and scale of today’s threats.

The Reality of Manual Software Patch Management

Manual software patch management typically requires IT teams to:

• Track vendor releases from dozens of software providers
• Download and repackage installers
• Perform internal tests for compatibility
• Deploy through tools like SCCM or Intune
• Log and report updates for compliance

For many teams, software patch management feels like a constant race against time. Just as one batch of updates is deployed, the next round appears – creating an endless cycle of catch-up and compromise. Worse, the human factor – missed updates, skipped tests, incorrect deployment – can leave systems exposed even when the intention was to secure them.

Manual processes also make it difficult to scale. As organizations adopt more SaaS applications and manage remote or hybrid devices, the patch management workload grows disproportionately. Even mature IT teams find themselves struggling to maintain consistency across hundreds or thousands of endpoints.

What’s at Stake: More Than Just Time

Beyond inefficiency, manual patch management increases risk. Vulnerabilities left unpatched for months aren’t theoretical threats – they’re proven entry points for attackers. Every delay adds to the cost – whether in downtime, recovery efforts, or reputational damage.

In today’s digital-first world, customers expect reliability. A single security incident caused by an unpatched system can erode trust and damage a brand’s reputation for years.

One of the most well-known examples is the Equifax breach of 2017, where attackers exploited a known vulnerability in Apache Struts – one that had a patch available for months. The result: the personal data of over 147 million people was compromised, and Equifax faced more than $700 million in settlements and fines. All because one patch wasn’t applied in time.

This case is still regularly referenced in 2025 because it changed how the world talks about patch management and breach responsibility. It serves as a lasting reminder that failing to apply a single patch can lead to massive, avoidable consequences.

The Case for Automation: Speed, Consistency, and Control

Automated patch management changes the equation. It:

• Continuously monitors vendor sites for updates
• Delivers tested, deployment-ready packages
• Integrates directly into SCCM or Intune workflows
• Ensures consistent rollout across environments

With automation, patch management becomes a proactive security measure rather than a reactive task squeezed in between other priorities. According to Forrester’s TEI study on Microsoft 365 E3, organizations that implemented endpoint automation saw a 27% decrease in software deployment time and a 45% reduction in IT support tickets.

Automation also reduces the risk of human error and enables faster responses to zero-day vulnerabilities — security flaws that are discovered before a fix is available. With proper oversight and reporting, automated patch management improves both operational efficiency and security compliance.

How Apptimized Care Helps

Apptimized Care is built to make automated patch management effortless. It’s designed to solve real-world IT problems – not add more tools to learn or steps to manage:

• It provides pre-tested, silent-install packages for a wide range of third-party apps
• Works seamlessly with Intune and SCCM
• Frees IT teams to focus on security strategy rather than software logistics

Care monitors vendor websites for updates, builds compliant packages, and ensures every deployment meets your internal standards. Whether you’re managing 50 apps or 5000, Apptimized Care helps organizations close the vulnerability gap faster.

For Managed Service Providers (MSPs), Care also enables multi-tenant patch management, branded deployments, and faster onboarding – critical features when serving multiple customers with varied environments.

Don’t Wait for a Breach to Modernize Your Patch Process

Cyber attackers won’t wait. The longer it takes to apply updates, the more time adversaries have to exploit weaknesses.

Automated patch management isn’t a nice-to-have – it’s a security essential. By moving away from manual processes, organizations not only reduce their exposure but also reclaim valuable time and control.

Ready to reduce your patching workload and risk? See how Apptimized Care can support your environment. Book a demo or start your free trial today.