Overview

Managing operating system and application security patches is a primary pain point for IT organizations of all sizes. Patch Management, the security and update management component of the Viewfinity Systems Management platform, addresses this issue by helping to automate the update management process. Automation of the patching process reduces the amount of time, effort, cost, and risk that is associated with the procedure.

Viewfinity Patch Management works with Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) as “Cloud-Hosted Patch Management” where the server component is installed on the Viewfinity managed platform, eliminating the need for an administrator to maintain, update, or backup the server processes, services, and components. The Viewfinity Web-based management console can be accessed from Internet Explorer on any Windows computer inside or outside of the corporate network.

Viewfinity Improves Patching for Mobile Workers

Viewfinity Patch Management enables an organization to fully manage the distribution of updates that are released through Microsoft Update to computers that are on your network as well as mobile computers not connected to the internal network. For example, when Microsoft releases new security updates, the rules created by the Viewfinity administrator are applied without a remote, or even a local, computer needing to connect to the corporate network because the rules are created and made available in the Cloud. The security patches are delivered across whatever connection exists for the computer without having to wait until LAN-disconnected clients connect to the network to validate against new rules. Viewfinity Patch Management ensures that all assets are patched and secure – even in instances where employees use their home computer for business services.

Cost Savings from Viewfinity Anytime, Anywhere Patch Management

The Viewfinity Patching console exists in the Cloud allowing the administrator to manage, monitor, and report anywhere that an Internet connection is available. Because Viewfinity Patch Management is stored on the Viewfinity servers, it creates an environment where IT services can keep the company secure without the costly investments of additional server and network hardware and software.

How Viewfinity Patch Management Works

Viewfinity Patch Management works with Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) and offers effective, efficient, and expedient ways to help ensure systems are up to date and secure. Viewfinity Patch Management provides a management infrastructure comprised of the following:

• Cloud-Hosted Patch Management: The server component is installed on the Viewfinity managed platform, eliminating the need for an administrator to maintain, update, or backup the server processes, services, and components. The Viewfinity Patch Management server provides comprehensive features that administrators require to manage and distribute updates. The Viewfinity Web-based management console can be accessed from Internet Explorer on any Windows computer inside or outside of the corporate network.
• Microsoft Update: Microsoft Update is the Microsoft web site that Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) components connect to for updates to Microsoft products. Within the Viewfinity management console, IT administrators can quickly sift through a list of patches and critical updates released through the Microsoft Updates site and automatically synchronized into the console. From there, the administrator can create approval rules based on the updates provided by Microsoft. For example, a Viewfinity administrator can deploy only those patches that are applicable to computers that are running Windows 7 and Office 2010 in the organization. Through the Viewfinity console, IT administrators have the ability to create rules for all Microsoft released updates including applications, drivers, critical updates, and service packs.
• Automatic Updates: Automatic Updates is the client computer component built into Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Windows Server versions 2003 and 2008. Automatic Updates enables both server and client computers to receive updates from Microsoft Update. The Viewfinity management console provides a central location to allow configuration of the Automatic Updates client component. The Viewfinity management console also gives an administrator a set of tools to define the types of approved updates, identify and select appropriate languages and to schedule the delivery of the update.

Viewfinity Operating System Support

Viewfinity Patch Management enables IT administrators to deploy the latest Microsoft product updates to both Microsoft Windows Servers and Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7 client operating systems. By following Microsoft’s lifecycle support for operating systems, Viewfinity ensures that the all supported operating systems and applications can be secured through patch updates.

Viewfinity Active Directory Integration

In addition to full Active Directory integration, Viewfinity Patch Management also works with non-Active Directory computers so that you can capture and secure all aspects of your environment. Fully secure all assets in situations that prohibit the workstation from connecting to the corporate directory system.