UPDATING ESSENTIAL 3 Timely Patching And Updating A patch is typically something that is provided by software developers to fix a critical error or security issue. Updates tend to focus on adding functionalities and features to the software that could also be security-related. From time to time, software and sometimes hardware companies update or patch their Operating systems, firmware, and applications to fix bugs or weaknesses in them. Users must update their software because cyber-attackers can use such flaws to break into and explore corporate networks, steal data or even give themselves higher system authority. What to do: ™ Track all software and firmware updates used on all devices on the company network. @ Before using any updated or patched software, test it on computers that are not linked to the corporate network.