Patching is one of those security essentials that’s easy to underestimate. When updates are delayed or applied inconsistently, healthcare organisations can be left exposed. Cyber attackers routinely exploit known vulnerabilities, issues that already have fixes available but simply haven’t been applied yet.

The challenge is rarely a lack of awareness. It’s the complexity of modern healthcare IT environments. Alongside endpoints and servers, many organisations now rely on cloud platforms, third‑party applications, and connected devices such as Internet of Things (IoT) medical devices. Without a clear, coordinated approach, patching gaps are almost inevitable.

In many organisations, patching happens on a best‑efforts basis. User devices are updated regularly, servers are patched during scheduled maintenance windows, and specialist systems are dealt with separately, often manually.

When a critical vulnerability is disclosed, uncertainty slows things down. Who owns the system? Can the patch be applied safely? What about devices that can’t be easily taken offline? That delay can quickly turn into an opportunity for attackers, who take advantage of unpatched systems to gain access and move across the network.

It’s a familiar situation and one that could often be avoided with better visibility and ownership.

Strong patch management is about more than just applying updates. Following NCSC guidance, organisations should automate updates where possible, prioritise critical patches, and ensure all assets, including IoT medical devices, are included in the patch cycle. Clear policies, regular vulnerability scanning, and ongoing monitoring are key to keeping everything on track.

Trusted Technology’s Support Desk services are designed to take that burden off internal teams. Going beyond traditional end‑user support, the Support Desk actively manages patching and maintenance across clinical IT environments. That includes monitoring patch compliance, deploying updates across endpoints and servers, coordinating patching for specialist and regulated systems, and identifying vulnerabilities before they’re exploited.

The result is a more resilient healthcare environment, fewer avoidable incidents, and confidence that patching is being handled consistently and proactively.

When patching is managed properly, it stops being a recurring risk and becomes a reliable foundation for organisational security.