Expert Database Advice
Database Patching
Keep your systems running at their best with regular database patching
Having a database patch strategy can address security vulnerabilities to ensure business continuity
Keeping your systems healthy and up-to-date yields performance benefits, and database patching is a crucial aspect in ensuring stable infrastructure. What’s more, critical database patches retrospectively install important security updates, often delivering fixes for known or recently discovered bugs.
Why is database patching important?
Stay secure and access latest innovations
Patching is the act of maintaining your database management system with small updates, rather than upgrading or replacing the entire platform with the latest version. Patching typically involves repairing security loopholes, fixing or removing bugs, or adding minor feature updates and improvements. Quality of life features are often included in database patches, leading to higher productivity, easier maintenance, automation and performance improvements.
Challenges of database patching
A necessary, but often complex process
Database patching, while essential for security and performance, presents a multitude of challenges, particularly in larger, more complex environments. The sheer scale of these systems translates to lengthy patching events, consuming significant time and resources. Furthermore, the risk of failure is ever-present, with patching events potentially introducing new issues or conflicts within the intricate database ecosystem.
The presence of patch dependencies further complicates matters, demanding meticulous planning and execution to ensure the correct order of application. Neglecting this crucial aspect of database management significantly increases the likelihood of failure. Without a well-defined patching strategy, organisations will risk rushing the process, leading to costly mistakes. In severe cases, this will expose vulnerabilities that allow malware to infiltrate the system and cause business disruption through outages.
Key considerations to ensure successful database patching
Do you need support with patch application
- Patch volume and how the number of patches could impact day-to-day operations
- Knowing the length of time to apply a patch and ensuring adequate planning
- Patch complexity and whether there are dependencies between patches
- Frequency of patch releases: typically every two months for SQL Server and three months for Oracle
- Troubleshooting potential software conflicts to avoid having to undo newly applied patches
Benefits of patching your databases
Enhanced Security
Patching addresses known vulnerabilities, closing security gaps that could be exploited by cybercriminals. This is crucial for protecting sensitive data from breaches and attacks.
Improved System Stability
Patches often include bug fixes and performance optimisations that enhance the stability and reliability of the database. This reduces the risk of crashes, errors, and downtime.
Regulatory Compliance
Many industries have strict compliance requirements that mandate security measures. Regular database patching helps organisations meet these requirements, avoiding potential fines and penalties.
Optimised Performance
Patches can include performance enhancements that improve database efficiency and responsiveness. This leads to faster query processing, reduced latency, and a better user experience.
Feature Updates & Improvements
In addition to security and stability, patches may also introduce new features, functionality, and improvements to existing capabilities, keeping the database up-to-date with the latest advancements.
Reduced Risk of Data Loss
By improving stability, and security, the risk of data loss through corruption, or malicious attack is greatly reduced.
Patch your systems
Proactive patch management from the experts
Why Xynomix can help devise a database patch management strategy
Our team live and breathe database management! Plus, we’re always up-to-date with the latest patching innovations and best-practices. As a result, we have created patching policies, strategies, testing processes, and project governance roadmaps, to ensure that the right activities always occur at the right time.
Our strategic approach to database patch management is the embodiment of the lessons learnt from years of patching engagements. We provide hints, tips, and tricks that make future patching events a straightforward success.
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