They go beyond traditional home setups to provide scalable wireless connectivity within your business and meet its demanding needs.

The following are our recommendations for the top enterprise Wi-Fi solutions:

• NETGEAR Business WiFi: Best overall enterprise Wi-Fi.
• Juniper Mist: Best for large enterprises.
• Ubiquiti UniFi: Best for small to medium businesses.
• Sophos Wireless: Best for mixed device environments.
• Cisco Meraki MR: Best for challenging enterprise environments.
• HPE Aruba WLAN: Best for hybrid environments.
• Cambium Enterprise Wi-Fi: Best for service providers.
• ExtremeWireless: Best for high-density environments.
• Fortinet Secure Wireless LAN: Best for remote work.

Top enterprise Wi-Fi solutions comparison

Below is an overview of the best business Wi-Fi solutions today. It shows their speed, range of hardware selection, free trial availability, and pricing details.

NETGEAR Business WiFi

Best overall enterprise Wi-Fi

Overall rating: 4.75/5

• Cost: 5/5
• Core features: 5/5
• Integrations: 4.75/5
• Customer support: 4.75/5
• Ease of use: 5/5

NETGEAR Business WiFi is a comprehensive solution providing a range of products customizable to your exact business needs. It delivers high performance with its Wi-Fi 6 technology feature that enables high-speed, reliable, and efficient connections.

This enterprise Wi-Fi comes with advanced Instant VPN, Instant Captive Portal, Instant Mesh, and Instant Wi-Fi features that let your business maximize your network’s potential effortlessly.

Product design: NETGEAR Insight is a cloud-based platform for the remote management of NETGEAR Business WiFi. Its well-organized dashboard shows a clear overview of your network status and device information, making it easier for you to handle different aspects of your network. It also allows you to customize your summary views so you can control what you want to see.

Product development: NETGEAR has added the S3600 Series to its Smart Switch lineup. These switches aim to address the growing networking demands of high-bandwidth applications and devices in the workplace through high-speed connectivity, and ease of setup and configuration. This product line expansion demonstrates NETGEAR’s dedication to continually enhancing their offerings to meet the evolving needs of their customers.

Why we picked NETGEAR Business WiFi

NETGEAR Business WiFi is our best overall enterprise Wi-Fi because it is cost effective, packed with sophisticated features, and has broad integration capabilities. It also has advanced security features such as WPA3 encryption, robust authentication mechanisms, and secure key management, ensuring the safety of your network.

On top of that, it is user-friendly, offers a wide selection of Wi-Fi hardware appliances, and has solid customer support.

Pros and cons

Pricing

NETGEAR Business WiFi has two pricing plans:

• Insight Premium: Starts at $0.83/device/month
• Insight Pro: Starts at $1.83/device/month

Get in touch with their sales team to find out more.

Features

• High-speed connectivity.
• Wi-Fi 6 technology.
• Supports WPA3 encryption and authentication mechanisms.
• Remote network management.
• Advanced device profiling.
• User role management.
• Analytics and reporting features.
• Network segmentation.
• Dynamic mesh networking.
• Auto-configuration and provisioning.
• Guest access capabilities.
• Insight Instant Captive Portal.
• Support for multiple locations and devices.
• Quality of service (QoS) packet scheduling.
• Distributed denial of service (DDoS) prevention.

Juniper Mist

Best for large enterprises

Overall rating: 4.75/5

• Cost: 3.75/5
• Core features: 5/5
• Integrations: 5/5
• Customer support: 5/5
• Ease of use: 5/5

Juniper Mist is a modern, cloud-based wireless network solution that leverages AI and machine learning (ML) to deliver high-performance Wi-Fi while maintaining visibility and control. It offers features such as AI-driven operations, cloud portal, and automation capabilities, making it an excellent choice for large enterprises with complex networks.

Juniper Mist’s AI-driven operations give optimized configurations, maximum performance, and optimized packet scheduling for increased capacity. Additionally, its cloud portal and automation capabilities streamline network management, simplifying management at a large scale.

Product design: The Juniper Mist has an intuitive and straightforward interface that’s easy on the eyes. It presents a holistic view of your network with simple tabs and menus that separate different components. The uncluttered design can aid you to quickly identify and fix any network issues, thereby minimizing business downtime and ensuring a smooth user experience.

Product development: Since acquiring Mist Systems in 2019, Juniper Networks continues to focus on AI and cloud services. In 2023, it unveiled a series of enhancements to its AI-driven enterprise portfolio, including integration of ChatGPT with Marvis, Juniper’s unique AI-driven virtual network assistant.

Marvis now allows you to conveniently access knowledge base information using advanced Large Language Models (LLM). This means users can pose technical queries to Marvis and receive not only precise answers, but also a curated list of relevant documents.

Why we picked Juniper Mist

Juniper Mist is one of our choices of top commercial Wi-Fi solutions because of its innovative use of AI and ML for efficient troubleshooting and decision-making. These intelligent capabilities improve overall network performance as well as end-user experience.

Pros and cons

Pricing

Juniper Networks states that Juniper Mist has a subscription-based licensing model, but does not reveal actual pricing. Contact their sales team to request a call.

Features

• AI-driven operations.
• Cloud portal.
• Automation capabilities.
• Asset tracking and room utilization.
• Visitor segmentation and trends.
• Network segmentation.
• Monitoring and behavior reports.
• WAN visibility.
• Secure guest access.
• Customizable guest portal.
• External captive portal integration.
• Single Sign-On (SSO) with identity provider.
• Template-based configuration.
• Dynamic mesh networking.
• Auto-configuration and provisioning.
• Self-healing network.
• WPA3 encryption.
• Advanced authentication mechanisms (802.1X, EAP).
• Secure key management.
• On-premises deployment support.

Ubiquiti UniFi

Best for small to medium businesses

Overall rating: 4.25/5

• Cost: 2.5/5
• Core features: 5/5
• Integrations: 4.75/5
• Customer support: 4/5
• Ease of use: 4.25/5

Ubiquiti UniFi has a range of devices such as access points, switches, and routers, all managed through a single software interface. Some of its key features are high-performance Wi-Fi, advanced device profiling, user role management, and support for dynamic mesh networking.

Ubiquiti UniFi is well-suited for SMBs due to its scalability and cost-effectiveness. The system is designed to grow with your business, allowing you to add devices as needed without significant increases in management complexity. What’s more, the absence of licensing fees for its management software makes it a cost-effective choice for small to medium organizations.

Product design: The UniFi Controller software shows a visual overview of your network’s status and performance. It displays real-time data on network traffic, connected devices, Wi-Fi experiences and clients, as well as APs. The extensive details shown on the dashboard could be confusing and intimidating to some users.

Product development: Ubiquiti’s release of the UniFi Network Application 8.0.24 introduces Admin Settings Change Logs for tracking changes, raises the network limit to 255 for managing larger networks, and includes stability fixes for a more reliable network.

Why we picked Ubiquiti UniFi

We selected Ubiquiti UniFi because it combines performance, scalability, and affordability. Its extensive hardware selection also makes it a smart choice for businesses looking to build and manage their own networks.

Pros and cons

Pricing

Ubiquiti’s software license is free and bundled with the Wi-Fi hardware product. UniFi Enterprise Wi-Fi device prices start at $279.00.

Features

• High-performance Wi-Fi.
• Advanced device profiling.
• Network segmentation.
• User role management.
• Dynamic mesh networking.
• Auto-configuration and provisioning.
• Self-healing network.
• WPA3 encryption.
• Secure key management.
• Guest access capabilities.
• Secure guest networks.
• Captive portal support.
• Remote management.
• License-free software.
• Advanced QoS.
• Per-user rate limiting.
• Real-time traffic dashboards.
• Visual topology maps.
• Support for admin settings change logs.

Sophos Wireless

Best for mixed device environments

Overall rating: 4.5/5

• Cost: 3.75/5
• Core features: 4.5/5
• Integrations: 5/5
• Customer support: 4.75/5
• Ease of use: 5/5

Sophos Wireless is a high-performance Wi-Fi solution managed through Sophos Central, a cloud-based security management platform. It comes with a range of functionalities, such as centralized management, advanced analytics and reporting, guest access capabilities, and advanced device profiling.

The adaptive nature of Sophos Wireless guarantees seamless integration and support for a diverse set of devices, like various operating systems and device types. This adaptability is crucial in environments where users utilize different devices, such as laptops, smartphones, and tablets. Moreover, it enables a smooth and uninterrupted user experience as devices move within the network through the Fast Transition feature.

Product design: The Sophos Central lets you manage your Wi-Fi alongside your firewalls and switches, endpoint and server security and operations, and email protection. It offers at-a-glance insights into your enterprise network without looking complex and overwhelming. The dashboard is well-rounded, user-friendly, and provides deeper intelligence into network activity through analytics.

Product development: Sophos launched the AP6 Series, which supports Wi-Fi 6/6E, improves performance, and reduces latency. This series comprises various models designed for diverse environments, including indoor and outdoor settings. This means customers can 

Why we picked Sophos Wireless

We picked Sophos Wireless as one of our recommended business Wi-Fi solutions for its advanced security features, high performance, and centralized management capabilities. It comes with strong security measures, including advanced threat protection, secure access controls, and encryption. With high-speed connectivity reaching up to 8350 Mbps, Sophos Wireless meets the demands of high-density networks. Finally, the centralized management interface simplifies administration tasks for businesses.

Pros and cons

Pricing

Sophos mentions on its licensing guide that Sophos Wireless has per-appliance-pricing but does not provide exact prices. Contact their sales for additional details.

Features

• Centralized management.
• Local user interface.
• Scheduled firmware upgrades.
• Mesh networking.
• Dynamic VLAN and RADIUS.
• Web categorization.
• Network segmentation.
• Application visibility.
• Synchronized security.
• Multiple SSIDs.
• Time-based SSIDs.
• Client load balancing.
• Auto channel selection.
• Channel width selection.
• Band steering.
• Airtime fairness.
• Keep broadcasting SSID.
• Roaming assistant.
• Fast Transition feature.
• Captive portal.
• Auto power.
• Enterprise-level authentication.
• Rogue AP detection.
• Voucher authentication.
• Social login.

Cisco Meraki MR

Best for challenging enterprise environments

Overall rating: 4/5

• Cost: 2.5/5
• Core features: 4.75/5
• Integrations: 3.75/5
• Customer support: 3.75/5
• Ease of use: 5/5

The Cisco Meraki MR series is a line of cloud-managed access points with simplified deployment and troubleshooting, making it an ideal solution for challenging enterprise environments that require end-to-end network management.

Additionally, they use advanced Wi-Fi 6 technologies, including orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA) and multi-user, multiple input, multiple output (MU-MIMO), beam forming, and channel bonding, delivering the throughput and reliable coverage required by demanding business applications.

This enterprise Wi-Fi also supports auto-configuration and provisioning, ensuring a self-healing network that can adapt to changes and failures in challenging network environments.

Product design: It has a simple dashboard with components neatly grouped together in a sidebar. However, this extreme simplicity lacks granularity in terms of data shown.

Product development: Cisco Meraki recently added a new Callbacks feature in the Meraki Dashboard API, focusing on providing tools that offer automation, efficiency, and convenience. This feature lets you initiate pinging a device or executing a phased deployment, and step back. You receive a notification at your specified webhook URL once it completes the operation.

Why we picked Cisco Meraki MR

We selected Cisco Meraki MR series because of its versatility and ability to adapt to complex network environments, coupled with robust security measures and extensive integration capabilities.

Pros and cons

Pricing

Cisco Meraki doesn’t display the pricing details on their website. Get in touch with their sales team to learn more.

Features

• Self-configuring plug-and-play deployment.
• 802.11ax MU-MIMO with up to eight spatial streams built for voice and video.
• Dedicated radio for security and RF optimization with integrated spectrum analysis (indoor models).
• Advanced security to protect against malware, ransomware, and C2 callbacks with Umbrella integration.
• Integrated intrusion detection and prevention system (WIDS/WIPS).
• Intelligent firmware upgrades.
• Network segmentation.
• AI/ML-powered analytics for root cause analysis and Wi-Fi troubleshooting.
• Advanced application visibility with Cisco Network-Based Application Recognition (NBAR).
• Flexible group policy engine.
• Wi-Fi personal network (WPN) on any shared network.
• Integrated Bluetooth IoT radio.
• IoT ready (ESL integration).
• Self-healing, zero-configuration mesh.
• Role-based administration.
• Email and text message alerts upon power loss, downtime, or configuration changes.
• FIPS-140-2 compliant, IPv6 compatible, WFA-certified APs.

HPE Aruba WLAN

Best for hybrid environments

Overall rating: 4/5

• Cost: 2.5/5
• Core features: 4.75/5
• Integrations: 5/5
• Customer support: 5/5
• Ease of use: 2.5/5

HPE Aruba WLAN is a business-grade wireless LAN solution with cloud-native, microservices architecture that streamlines IT operations, boosts agility, and reduces costs by unifying the management of all network infrastructure. This enterprise Wi-Fi is well-suited for hybrid environments due to its scalability, seamless integration with hybrid cloud services, unified management capabilities for wired and wireless networks.

HPE Aruba WLAN has the latest Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E standards for high-speed and stable connectivity. Furthermore, it uses artificial intelligence (AI) to power its network operations and proactively identify and resolve network issues. It also comes with advanced security features, including encryption, authentication, and access controls, bolstering overall network security.

Product design: The Aruba Central dashboard gives a unified view of wired and wireless local area networks (LANs), WANs, and virtual private networks (VPNs) across multiple locations. It offers AI-powered insights, visualizations, workflow automation, and edge-to-cloud security, to ease network management. That said, it has numerous options and settings that may require time and effort to fully understand and navigate.

Product development: HPE Aruba Networking introduced the Aruba Instant On AP22D and the Aruba Instant On 1960 stackable switch to enable small to medium businesses (SMBs) to improve networks with faster speeds, increased capacity, and strengthened security.

Why we picked HPE Aruba WLAN

We chose HPE Aruba WLAN because of its state-of-the-art functionalities combined with high high security levels and dependability. In addition, this enterprise Wi-Fi It is compatible with the latest Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E protocols, guaranteeing better efficiency and bandwidth.

Pros and cons

Pricing

HPE Aruba doesn’t publish pricing information on their page. Connect with their sales department for full pricing details.

Features

• Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E support.
• Support for digital transformation and IoT.
• Cloud-managed networking.
• AI-powered network operations.
• Security for the Intelligent Edge.
• Guest encryption.
• Aruba WLAN Portfolio with indoor, outdoor, ruggedized, and remote access points.
• Gateways and controllers.
• OFDMA.
• Target wake time (TWT).
• Dynamic mesh networking.
• Auto-configuration and provisioning.
• Self-healing network.
• Location analytics.

Cambium Enterprise Wi-Fi

Best for service providers

Overall rating: 3.5/5

• Cost: 0/5
• Core features: 4.5/5
• Integrations: 4/5
• Customer support: 3.5/5
• Ease of use: 5/5

Cambium Enterprise Wi-Fi supports the latest Wi-Fi standards, including Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E, delivering high-performance wireless network connections. The solution offers built-in security features and guest access capabilities. In addition, it supports dynamic mesh networking, auto-configuration and provisioning, and self-healing network capabilities, boosting scalability.

This scalability is particularly advantageous for service providers, like broadband service providers or network-as-a-service (NaaS) providers dealing with diverse network sizes and customer needs, as it allows for smooth expansion as demand grows. Of course, this enterprise Wi-Fi also has security features, including encryption and authentication, addressing the concern of data security.

Product design: Cambium’s cnMaestro dashboard brings a single-pane-of-glass view of all network devices and their performance. It includes network statistics, channel utilization graphs, and remote troubleshooting tools. Real-time and historical analytics give insights into network performance, usage patterns, and potential issues.

Product development: Cambium Networks updated its network management system, cnMaestro 4.1, elevating automation and analytics and reducing costs. The new feature, cnMaestro X Assurance, uses analytics to identify and resolve network issues quickly. Other features include Personal Wi-Fi for secure connectivity across campus networks, and Network Service Edge for security and SD-WAN services.

Why we picked Cambium Enterprise Wi-Fi 

We picked Cambium Enterprise Wi-Fi for its scalability, comprehensive feature set, and support for the latest Wi-Fi standards that promotes fast and efficient wireless network connections. Its analytics and reporting features also provide valuable insights for network optimization. 

Pros and cons

Pricing

Cambium doesn’t disclose pricing details on their official website. Contact their sales representative for a quote.

Features

• Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E support.
• Cloud-first architecture.
• Zero-touch provisioning and maintenance.
• Policy-based access.
• Built-in security features.
• Network segmentation.
• Guest access capabilities.
• Analytics and reporting features.
• Dynamic mesh networking.
• Self-healing network.
• cnMaestro management system.
• Network service edge.
• Advanced device profiling and segmentation.
• Seamless roaming.
• Automatic RF optimization and interference avoidance.

ExtremeWireless

Best for high-density environments

Overall rating: 3.5/5

• Cost: 0/5
• Core features: 5/5
• Integrations: 4.25/5
• Customer support: 3.75/5
• Ease of use: 4.25/5

ExtremeWireless by Extreme Networks leverages explainable machine learning (ML) to increase IT efficiency and secure the network with Universal Universal Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA). This enterprise Wi-Fi solution also uses ExtremeCloud IQ for management, bringing end-to-end visibility and data-driven AIOps for faster network issue resolution.

ExtremeWireless excels in high-density environments thanks to its tri-radio indoor universal APs offering Wi-Fi 6E coverage. These APs can run multiple operating systems for on-premises and/or cloud management, making ExtremeWireless a top choice for environments that need high-speed, high-capacity networks like stadiums, large venues, and conference centers. The high data rates ensure seamless connectivity even in areas with a large number of concurrent users, elevating user experience.

Product design: The ExtremeWireless dashboard gives a detailed insight of the network status with elaborate charts to help monitor the overall status of the wireless network. However, it  presents many tabs, sections, and subsections that can make it challenging for some users to locate certain capabilities.

Product development: Extreme Networks has presented the ExtremeCloud Universal ZTNA, a groundbreaking solution that integrates network, application, and device access security into one platform. This will provide a consistent security policy across the entire network and make it easier for IT teams to manage and secure user access across multiple locations. The solution is set to be available in early 2024.

Why we picked ExtremeWireless

We selected ExtremeWireless because its high data rates and reliability promotes consistent and stable wireless connectivity. Its scalability allows organizations to easily expand their networks to accommodate growth.

Pros and cons

Pricing

Extreme Networks doesn’t disclose pricing structure for ExtremeWireless. For updated prices, get in touch with their sales team.

Features

• Cloud management.
• Explainable ML secures networks with Universal ZTNA.
• End-to-end visibility.
• Data-driven AIOps.
• Context-based optimization.
• Advanced captive portal support.
• Full-stack management of access points, switches, and SD-WAN through ExtremeCloud IQ.
• Advanced device profiling.
• User role management.
• Analytics and reporting.
• Dynamic mesh networking.
• Auto-configuration and provisioning.
• Tri-Radio access points.
• Software-selectable operating systems.
• Interference-free spectrum.
• Extended temperature range.

Fortinet Secure Wireless LAN

Best for remote work

Overall rating: 3.25/5

• Cost: 0/5
• Core features: 4.5/5
• Integrations: 4/5
• Customer support: 4.75/5
• Ease of use: 2.5/5

Fortinet Secure Wireless LAN integrates wireless and wired access, security, authentication, switching, and management into a single system. Some of its key features include secure networking, end-to-end network visibility, automated threat response, unified management, and flexible deployment options. It also supports zero-touch deployment, making it fast and simple to deploy without needing on-site tech support.

Fortinet Secure Wireless LAN is best for remote work environments because of its specific features for encryption and wireless connection security, safeguarding sensitive data and communications as remote employees access corporate networks. Additionally, its focus on integrated security policies makes sure that remote workers benefit from advanced threat protection, reducing the risk of cyber threats.

Product design: This enterprise Wi-Fi solution has a highly-detailed software interface with graphs and intricate details for status, analysis, and diagnostics. This abundance of in-depth information can be overwhelming for some users.

Product development: Fortinet launched high-performance FortiSwitch 600 and 2000 to cater to the growing connectivity needs of campuses. These products have embedded intelligence and readily integrate with Fortinet’s AIOps management tool and FortiGuard AI-Powered Security Services.

Why we picked Fortinet Secure Wireless LAN

Despite losing some points for its lack of transparent pricing or free trial, Fortinet Secure Wireless LAN made it to our list because of its solid security features and flexibility.

It incorporates threat protection, encryption, and consolidated security policies, fortifying wireless networks against potential threats. Furthermore, it has tight integration with other Fortinet security products, forming a cohesive security infrastructure.

Pros and cons

Pricing

Pricing information is not available on Fortinet’s website. For updated pricing, reach out to their sales department.

Features

• Secure networking.
• Integrates with the Fortinet Security Fabric.
• End-to-end network visibility.
• Automated threat response.
• Unified management.
• Flexible deployment.
• Zero-touch deployment.
• Network segmentation.
• Secure access service edge (SASE).
• Wireless presence analytics.
• Device profiling.
• Role-based access control (RBAC).
• Wireless mesh network.
• IoT segmentation.
• Captive portal.

Key features of enterprise Wi-Fi solutions

Enterprise Wi-Fi solutions should have features for security, high-performance, guest access, device management, scalability, and integrated hardware selection.

Security

Security is a critical feature of an enterprise Wi-Fi solution that includes measures to safeguard the network from unauthorized access and data breaches. This entails implementing access controls, encryption protocols to protect data during transmission, and mechanisms to prevent unauthorized users from gaining access. Wi-Fi network security is a must, especially in the age of advanced connectivity and the proliferation of 5G network providers.

High-performance capability

Enterprise Wi-Fi performance refers to the speed, reliability, and overall efficiency of the network. A high-performance Wi-Fi network contributes to productivity by guaranteeing quick and uninterrupted access to resources and applications. It also positively influences the user experience for employees, customers, and guests.

Guest access

Guest access lets non-employees connect to the Wi-Fi network with restricted privileges. This functionality gives convenience for visitors and clients to access the internet while visiting the enterprise. Simultaneously, it segregates guest traffic from the internal network, mitigating potential security risks.

Device management

Device management involves monitoring, controlling, and handling devices connected to the Wi-Fi network. It aids in inventory management by keeping track of all connected devices, facilitating troubleshooting efforts, and equipping administrators to enforce security policies. Effective device management strengthens network integrity and optimizes the operation of connected hardware devices.

Scalability

Scalability determines the ability of the enterprise Wi-Fi solution to adapt to the growing demands of an expanding enterprise. It supports business growth by accommodating an increasing number of users and devices. This feature aids in the addition of new access points and network infrastructure as needed and prevents congestion and performance degradation as the network expands.

Integrated hardware selection

The selection of hardware is another key aspect of an enterprise Wi-Fi solution, and vendors often offer a comprehensive hardware ecosystem tailored to complement their Wi-Fi software. This encompasses access points, controllers, switches, firewalls, and antennas for smooth integration.

How we evaluated enterprise Wi-Fi solutions

We thoroughly analyzed various options available in the current market to identify the best-performing enterprise Wi-Fi solutions today.

Our evaluation concentrated on five key criteria: cost, core features, integrations, customer support, and ease of use. We systematically assessed the performance of each enterprise Wi-Fi based on these criteria, assigning ratings and subsequently calculating their overall scores.

Cost – 20%

For this category, we considered the pricing transparency and the availability of free trial, as well as its duration.

Criterion winner: NETGEAR Business WiFi.

Core features – 30%

To determine scores for core features, we researched if each enterprise Wi-Fi solution has built-in features for security, high-performance, guest access, device management, and analytics and reporting. We also measured if the solution is scalable and checked the extensiveness of their selection of hardware devices.

Criterion winners: NETGEAR Business WiFi, Juniper Mist, and Ubiquiti UniFi.

Integrations – 20%

To calculate scores for this category, we considered if the enterprise Wi-Fi supports direct integration with third-party tools for network management and monitoring, security information and event management (SIEM), identity and access management (IAM), and cloud services and applications. We also considered support for custom integrations.

Criterion winners: HPE Aruba WLAN, Juniper Mist, and Sophos Wireless.

Customer support – 15%

We checked the availability of 24×7 customer support services to compute scores for this category. We verified whether support is accessible via live chat, phone, and email, and if the vendor has an active user community and in-depth documentation. Customer feedback is also taken into account in calculating the scores for this criterion.

Criterion winners: HPE Aruba WLAN and Juniper Mist.

Ease of use – 15%

For ease of use, we factored in the user-friendliness of the enterprise Wi-Fi’s software as well as the simplicity of its configuration/setup for all users, regardless of technical expertise. We looked into feedback from independent sources to find out how users feel about the solution.

Criterion winners: Cisco Meraki MR, Cambium Enterprise Wi-Fi, Juniper Mist, and Sophos Wireless.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who needs an enterprise Wi-Fi solution?

Enterprise Wi-Fi solutions are important for businesses and organizations that operate in environments where a substantial number of users rely on wireless connectivity, such as corporate offices, educational institutions, and healthcare facilities.

These solutions are also valuable if your business involves extensive data transmission, multiple devices accessing the network concurrently, or demands stringent security measures.

What are good office Wi-Fi solutions?

Based on our extensive evaluation, NETGEAR Business WiFi and Juniper Mist are the top two best office Wi-Fi solutions in terms of core features.

Bottom line: Keep your business connected with the top Wi-Fi solutions

The top enterprise Wi-Fi solutions on this list are designed to give you an idea of the top players in the market and what you should expect from commercial Wi-Fi solutions. In selecting the best enterprise Wi-Fi for your business, don’t forget to check its security features, scalability, customer support quality, integration capabilities, and ease of use, in addition to its speed and cost.

This guide serves as a reference to help you decide which solution to choose for your organization, depending on your budget, business size, and specific needs.

Enterprise Wi-Fi solutions and network switches work together to enhance your organization’s connectivity. Read our guide on the best network switches to find out our top recommendations and further bolster your network infrastructure.

The post Top 9 Enterprise Wi-Fi Solutions for Businesses in 2024 appeared first on Enterprise Networking Planet.

A network switch connects multiple devices within a local area network (LAN). It forwards data to specific devices, optimizing data traffic and enhancing network performance. In a business setting, network switches foster seamless communication, file sharing, and resource access among computers, servers, and other networked devices.

Here are our recommendations for the best network switch available in 2024:

• Cisco Catalyst 9000: Best overall network switch
• Zyxel MG-108: Best for small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs)
• Linksys LGS116P: Best for small office/home office (SOHO) networks
• NETGEAR MSM4352: Best for large enterprises needing high availability
• TP-Link TL-SG3452XP: Best for multi-cloud networks
• TRENDnet TEG-S24Dg: Best for energy efficiency
• Ubiquiti Unifi Switch 48-Port Gigabit Managed Network: Best for large-scale deployments
• Juniper EX2300: Best for branch and remote offices
• D-Link DGS-1100-24PV2: Best for scalability

Top network switch comparison

The table below shows a side-by-side comparison of the best network switch products on the market today. It gives you a clear overview of their management types, number of ports, speed, pricing, and warranty.

Cisco Catalyst 9000

Best overall network switch

Overall rating: 4.5/5

• Cost: 2/5
• Core features: 5/5
• Customer support: 5/5
• Scalability and performance: 5/5
• Ease of installation: 5/5

The Cisco Catalyst 9000 Series is a collection of versatile switches that facilitates different business operations, ensuring a secure experience and delivering high speeds.

This network switch family stood out as the best ethernet switch overall because of its robust set of features and topnotch speed and performance. It provides a broad range of bandwidth and scalability to accommodate both large and small data experiences. Moreover, the series leverages enhanced power over Ethernet (PoE) functionality and advanced artificial intelligence (AI) and (machine learning (ML) for continuous zero-trust security.

Product design: The Cisco Catalyst 9000 Series has a common design, both internally and externally. Internally, it uses a common ASIC, the Cisco UADP, providing flexibility for packet handling. Externally, the hardware is stackable and can be mounted in standard server racks or network cabinets.

However, it is worth noting that the product is heavy and bulky, which may consume a significant amount of space.

Product development: Cisco recently introduced the Cisco Catalyst 1200 and 1300 Series switches for small and medium businesses in the Asia-Pacific region. These innovations simplify the process of setting up networks and managing security. They also accelerate digital transformation for SMBs and reduce complexity for resource-strapped operations teams.

Why we picked Cisco Catalyst 9000

We picked Cisco Catalyst 9000 Series because of its powerful yet flexible switching capabilities. It brings high-speed connectivity with support for multi-gigabit and 10-gigabit Ethernet. In addition, its modular design and scalability make it adaptable to various network sizes and requirements, making it a future-proof choice.

Pros and cons

Pricing

Cisco doesn’t publish prices on their page, contact their sales team for full pricing details.

Features

• Optimized energy efficiency.
• 400G interfaces.
• Silicon One ASICs.
• Full mGig and UPOE+ ports.
• Converged switching and routing.
• Continuous zero-trust security.
• Programmable x86 multi-core CPU.
• Open IOS XE.
• Application hosting.
• Model-driven APIs.
• Programmable pipeline.
• Secure containers.
• Modular patching.
• Flexible tables.
• Supports PoE and PoE+.
• Advanced Quality of Service (QoS).

Zyxel MG-108

Best for small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs)

Overall rating: 3/5

• Cost: 3.5/5
• Core features: 2/5
• Customer support: 4/5
• Scalability and performance: 3.25/5
• Ease of installation: 5/5

The Zyxel MG-108 is a multi-gigabit switch that caters well to SMBs with its ports that optimize the performance of multi-gig bandwidth and devices. It also supports multiple speeds and can effectively accommodate a range of networks.

Despite these advanced features, the Zyxel MG-108 remains an affordable entry point into multi-gig networking, making it a cost-effective solution for SMBs aiming to upgrade their network performance. The device’s plug-and-play functionality eliminates complex configuration, saving valuable time and resources for growing businesses.

Product design: The Zyxel MG-108 is compact and lightweight. It can fit perfectly on a desktop or in a standard rack. It also has fanless design for silent and stable operation.

Product development: Zyxel released SMB switches with PoE scheduling to help businesses reduce energy costs. This feature lets you schedule switches to power-down during non-working hours. The vendor aims to help SMBs drive efficiency and sustainability, especially in the face of rising energy prices.

Why we picked Zyxel MG-108

We selected Zyxel MG-108 because it is a viable network switch for businesses seeking to boost their network performance without breaking the bank. Aside from being economical, it also supports multiple speeds (100M, 1G, 2.5G), allowing it to handle several devices and varying network speeds.

Pros and cons

Pricing

Zyxel MG-108 is priced at $138.87 on the Zyxel website.

Features

• 8 multi-gigabit ports supporting up to 2.5 gigabit (100M/1G/2.5G).
• Upgrade network speed to 2.5 times without additional cabling fee.
• Plug-and-play.
• Fanless design.
• Provides 25/40 Gbps switching capacity.
• Auto-negotiation.
• MAC address table supporting up to 16,000 entries.
• Energy efficient.
• Compact design.
• Supports jumbo frames up to 12 KB.
• Desktop and wall mountable.

Linksys LGS116P

Best for small office/home office (SOHO) networks

Overall rating: 3.5/5

• Cost: 2.25/5
• Core features:3.25/5
• Customer support: 5/5
• Scalability and performance: 4.25/5
• Ease of installation: 5/5

The Linksys LGS116P is a robust, unmanaged switch that is an excellent choice for SOHO networks, primarily due to its solid support for PoE+.

With 16 gigabit Ethernet ports, this switch gives you ample room for network expansion. The PoE+ feature allows VoIP phones, wireless access points, and IP cameras to receive both power and data from a single Ethernet cable, simplifying the installation process and reducing clutter. This is particularly beneficial in SOHO networks where multiple devices are often spread across a small area.

Product design: The Linksys LGS116P has a sleek and space-saving form, making it easy to fit into any workspace. It’s also wall-mountable, providing flexibility in placement. The switch has a metal casing for protection and clearly labeled ports, easing the setup process.

Product development: Linksys updated its Privacy Pledge, reinforcing its commitment to user privacy and security. The updated pledge guarantees that Linksys products and apps do not track user activity or sell personal information. These changes aim to provide a secure online experience, improving trust and peace of mind for Linksys customers.

Why we picked Linksys LGS116P

We chose Linksys LGS116P because it offers great value for its price, thanks to its reliable performance and sophisticated features. It has gigabit transfer speeds, supports QoS, and meets the Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE) 802.3az standard, reducing power consumption without sacrificing performance.

***Insert Fig C – Linksys LGS116P product image***

Pros and cons

Pricing

The Linksys LGS116P costs $220.99.

Features

• 16 gigabit Ethernet ports.
• PoE+ support.
• Plug-and-play.
• Supports QoS.
• Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE)
• Minimizes transfer times and streams high-bandwidth files.
• Auto-sensing ports.
• Wall mountable.

NETGEAR MSM4352

Best for large enterprises needing high availability

Overall rating: 4.25/5

• Cost: 1.5/5
• Core features: 4.75/5
• Customer support: 5/5
• Scalability and performance: 5/5
• Ease of installation: 5/5

The NETGEAR MSM4352 is a high-performance, scalable switch suitable for large enterprises. It’s part of NETGEAR’s edge to core stackable platform, which ranges from 1 to 100Gb. This enables non-stop forwarding (NSF) and hitless failover across the stack, making it ideal for businesses needing high availability and resilience in their network infrastructure.

Furthermore, this switch includes 44 ports that support 2.5Gb Ethernet, 4 ports supporting 10-gigabit Ethernet, and 4 uplinks supporting 25Gb Ethernet. This enables high data transfer speeds that large enterprises with heavy network traffic need.

Product design: The NETGEAR MSM4352 has a rack-mountable design, meant to be placed in a server room or data center. With a weight of 16 lbs, it is relatively heavy, making it more challenging to handle and install the hardware compared to lighter, more compact switches.

Product development: NETGEAR continues to provide  innovative networking solutions for small and mid-sized businesses with its launch of its MS108TUP Smart Switch. This product equips SMBs with modern switch functionality for improved network performance, flexibility, and efficiency.

Why we picked NETGEAR MSM4352

Its comprehensive features and high speed made us pick NETGEAR MSM4352 as one of our recommended network switch products. This switch has an automatic configuration that auto-connects with other M4350 (and M4250) switches, making it easy to expand your network as your needs grow. In addition, it supports different traffic types and VLANs, and has Layer 3 feature set with static, policy-based, and dynamic routing.

Pros and cons

Pricing

NETGEAR doesn’t display pricing details on their website. Contact a NETGEAR representative for a quote.

Features

• 44 2.5G and 4 10G/Multi-gig PoE++ ports with 4 25GBASE-X SFP28 uplinks.
• 550W internal power supply providing 194W of PoE budget.
• 2 slots for modular power supplies.
• Any APS350Wv1, APS600Wv2, APS920Wv1, or APS2000Wv1 can be used.
• Expandable PoE budget.
• Virtual chassis stacking provides NSF and hitless failover.
• Layer 3 feature set includes static, policy-based, and dynamic routing.
• NETGEAR IGMP Plus, AV user interface, and Engage Controller speed up AV installations.
• Lifetime next business day hardware replacement.

TP-Link TL-SG3452XP

Best for multi-cloud networks

Overall rating: 3.75/5

• Cost: 1/5
• Core features: 4.5/5
• Customer support: 4.25/5
• Scalability and performance: 4.25/5
• Ease of installation: 5/5

The TP-Link TL-SG3452XP is a business-grade switch that’s part of the TP-Link’s JetStream series, equipped with 48-gigabit Ethernet ports and four 10G SFP+ slots. These features ensure fast and reliable connections to servers and other switches.

What makes the TL-SG3452XP suited for multi-cloud networks is its seamless integration with Omada’s software-defined networking (SDN) platform. This platform offers centralized cloud management, enabling remote and centralized control of the entire network from multiple locations from a single interface. The switch is a good fit for businesses that need seamless wireless and wired connections.

Product design: The TL-SG3452XP has a sturdy, metal casing and might seem substantial when compared to other network switches. However, for a switch with its capacity and features, these specifications are standard. It’s designed to fit into 19-inch server racks, and its weight of 5.5 kg (12 lbs) adds to its stability.

Product development: TP-Link’s future plans emphasize the importance of the Smart Home Ecosystem, a comprehensive solution for home automation. This vendor is also investing in developing the ColorProTM Night Vision technology, which promises to redefine security solutions. These strategic areas of focus underscore TP-Link’s dedication to delivering cutting-edge solutions for your evolving needs.

Why we picked TP-Link TL-SG3452XP

We selected TL-SG3452XP because of its rich feature set, including its support for a complete lineup of L2 and L2+ features, such as static routing, enterprise-level QoS, and IGMP snooping. It also has extensive security strategies to help protect LAN area investment. Moreover, it brings standalone management capabilities through its web interface, CLI (Console Port, Telnet, SSH), SNMP, RMON, and Dual Image.

Pros and cons

Pricing

TP-Link doesn’t show prices for the TL-SG3452XP. Get in touch with their sales department to get to know more.

Features

• 10G uplink with four 10 Gbps SFP+ slots.
• PoE+ output with 500 W power budget.
• Centralized cloud management.
• L2 and L2+ features.
• Robust security strategies.
• Standalone management.
• Batch configuration.
• Batch firmware upgrading.
• Intelligent network monitoring.
• Abnormal event warnings.
• Reboot schedule.

TRENDnet TEG-S24Dg

Best for energy efficiency

Overall rating: 3.75/5

• Cost: 4.5/5
• Core features: 2.75/5
• Customer support: 3.75/5
• Scalability and performance: 4.25/5
• Ease of installation: 5/5

TRENDnet TEG-S24Dg delivers high-speed connectivity with 24 gigabit ports and stands out for its energy efficiency. This network switch uses GREENnet technology to adjust power consumption based on network traffic and link status, reducing power usage by up to 70% and promoting a sustainable network infrastructure.

Aside from being energy efficient, TRENDnet TEG-S24Dg has a 48 Gbps switching capacity, facilitating smooth data traffic flow and minimizing network bottlenecks. The switch also supports jumbo frames for the transmission of larger Ethernet frames up to 10KB.

Product design: TEG-S24Dg has metal housing that contributes to its long-lasting performance. It is also lightweight and fits well on a desktop, optimizing space utilization. Additionally, the switch has a built-in universal power supply, reducing cable clutter.

Product development: TRENDnet TEG-S24Dg replaced the TEG-S24Dg versions v1.0R and v2.0R to keep up with advancements in technology and changes in market demand. This new version has additional CB and UL/CUL certifications to the CE and FCC that the old versions had. These certifications indicate compliance with safety and operational standards in many regions.

Why we picked TRENDnet TEG-S24Dg

We included TRENDnet TEG-S24Dg as one of the best network switches because its high performance, energy efficiency and user-friendly design make it a valuable addition to any SMB network.

Pros and cons

Pricing

The TEG-S24Dg costs $104.49 on the TRENDnet website.

Features

• GREENnet technology reduces power consumption by up to 70%.
• 24 gigabit ports.
• 48Gbps forwarding capacity.
• Jumbo frame support.
• Fanless design.
• Internal universal power supply.
• Plug-and-play
• Complies with IEEE 802.3, IEEE 802.3u, IEEE 802.3x, IEEE 802.3ab, and IEEE 802.3az1.

Ubiquiti Unifi Switch 48-Port Gigabit Managed Network

Best for large-scale deployments

Overall rating: 4/5

• Cost: 1.75/5
• Core features: 5/5
• Customer support: 2.75/5
• Scalability and performance: 5/5
• Ease of installation: 5/5

The Ubiquiti Unifi Switch 48-Port Gigabit Managed Network features 48 gigabit Ethernet ports and four 1G SFP Ethernet ports, providing a total non-blocking throughput of 70 Gbps for high-performance networking. This switch is particularly suitable for large-scale deployments needing high data transfer rates.

One of the key features of this switch is its PoE support, which lets the switch supply power to connected devices over the Ethernet cables, reducing the need for separate power supplies. It also supports QoS features, streamlining the prioritization of different types of network traffic. Additionally, this product has built-in security features, such as access control lists (ACLs), authentication, port security, VLAN security, and secure remote access.

Product design: The switch is rack-mountable and is suitable for installation in server rooms. It has a sturdy steel casing, increasing durability. Its port and indicator layout on the front panel enables easy network connections monitoring and management.

Product development: Ubiquiti has recently introduced Network 8.0R, featuring a revamped UI for streamlined management. This update brings a host of improvements, like a new Port Manager that boosts control and visibility over individual ports. It also includes VLAN tagging visualization and shows you with a clear overview of VLAN configurations per port. This advancement offers greater control and insights into network segmentation, contributing to more efficient management and troubleshooting processes.

Why we picked Ubiquiti Unifi Switch 48-Port Gigabit Managed Network

We chose Ubiquiti Unifi Switch 48-Port Gigabit Managed Network for its high performance, comprehensive feature set, and security. This switch gives network administrators the tools they need to secure their networks and manage access effectively.

***Insert Fig G – Ubiquiti Unifi Switch 48-Port Gigabit Managed Network product image***

Pros and cons

Pricing

The Unifi Switch 48-Port Gigabit Managed Network is priced at $399.00 on Ubiquiti’s website.

Features

• 48 gigabit Ethernet ports
• PoE.
• UniFi Controller integration.
• VLAN support.
• Layer 2 switching.
• Rack-mountable design.
• Fanless design.
• Link aggregation.
• QoS settings.
• Energy-Efficient Ethernet (EEE).
• Loop prevention and detection.
• Port mirroring.
• Secure shell (SSH) support.
• Jumbo frame support.

Juniper EX2300

Best for branch and remote offices

Overall rating: 4.25/5

• Cost: 2/5
• Core features: 5/5
• Customer support: 5/5
• Scalability and performance: 5/5
• Ease of installation: 3.25/5

The Juniper EX2300 switches are well-suited for branch and remote offices due to their compact and scalable design. The switches in this series come in a form factor that is conducive to environments where space may be limited, making them an ideal fit for deployment in branch offices.

Despite their compact size, these switches offer scalability to accommodate the growing network needs of branch offices over time. It has high-speed connectivity with flexible uplink options for fast and reliable data transfer. Aside from this, the EX2300 series addresses security concerns prevalent in branch and remote offices with ACLs, port security, and support for network segmentation to prevent unauthorized access to the network infrastructure.

The EX2300 series brings redundant power options and link aggregation, increasing network resilience and minimizing downtime in the event of failures. It also includes the Junos OS to simplify network management tasks for remote administrators.

Product design: The EX2300 has a modern, compact design that is ideal for crowded wiring closets and access locations with space or power constraints. It is only one rack unit deep and has a low acoustic profile.

Product development: Juniper has progressively updated the EX2300 over time. Some models can now use PoE standards 802.3af Class 3 and 802.3at PoE+, which means they can provide power to different network devices. In addition, EX2300 switches now support cloud-based operations and are zero touch provisioning (ZTP) enabled. This promotes seamless onboarding, configuration, and management via Juniper Mist Wired Assurance.

Why we picked Juniper EX2300

On top of its advanced features, we picked the Juniper EX2300 series because of its reliable performance. It maintains high-performance with low latency and ensures efficient data transfer within the network. Furthermore, the switch supports Virtual Chassis technology for organizations that prioritize virtualization. This allows multiple interconnected switches to operate as a single, logical device.

Pros and cons

Pricing

Juniper Networks doesn’t post pricing details for the EX2300 switches on their page. Contact their sales team for detailed prices.

Features

• 24 gigabit Ethernet ports.
• Layer 2 and Layer 3 support.
• PoE/PoE+ support.
• Supports VLAN configurations for network segmentation.
• QoS features.
• MAC limiting, DHCP snooping, and DAI (Dynamic ARP Inspection.
• Operates on the Junos OS.
• Unified in-service software upgrade (ISSU).
• Juniper Virtual Chassis technology.
• Juniper Sky Enterprise integration.
• Port security.
• Web-based GUI and a CLI.
• Loop detection and prevention.
• Energy efficient.

D-Link DGS-1100-24PV2

Best for scalability

Overall rating: 4.25/5

• Cost: 3.75/5
• Core features: 4.5/5
• Customer support: 4/5
• Scalability and performance: 5/5
• Ease of installation: 3.25/5

The D-Link DGS-1100-24PV2 is a 24-port gigabit PoE Smart Managed switch with features to meet the needs of diverse networking environments. It has 24 gigabit Ethernet ports, including 12 PoE+ ports, giving high-speed wired connectivity and power for different devices.

One of the key strengths of the DGS-1100-24PV2 is its scalability. With a web-based management interface and smart managed features, the switch enables administrators to easily configure, monitor, and scale the network without the complexity of fully managed solutions. The inclusion of QoS and support for link aggregation further increases its scalability, making sure of appropriate resource allocation and more bandwidth as the network expands.

Product design: The DGS-1100-24PV2 is space saving and can be installed in a rack or placed on a desktop. This switch also has a fanless design, so it operates silently.

Product development: D-Link has broadened its product range with the launch of the DMS-106XT Multi Gigabit Unmanaged switch. This model delivers multi-gigabit connectivity to further enhance wired connections. A notable feature of this switch is its Turbo Mode, which intelligently prioritizes latency-sensitive applications for optimal performance.

Why we picked D-Link DGS-1100-24PV2

The D-Link DGS-1100-24PV2 is one of the best network switch products on our list because of its scalability, reliability, and D-Link’s overall brand reputation. The switch supports QoS, which prioritizes network traffic to keep critical network applications running at top performance. It also features Static MAC, allowing you to create a MAC allowlist for specific ports and protect your business network. What’s more, it comes with a lifetime warranty, demonstrating D-Link’s commitment to product quality and long-term customer confidence.

Pros and cons

Pricing

The DGS-1100-24PV2 costs $229.99 on D-Link’s official page.

Features

• 24 gigabit Ethernet ports.
• 12 PoE+ ports.
• 100W PoE budget.
• Auto surveillance VLAN.
• Auto voice VLAN.
• Bandwidth control.
• QoS features.
• Static MAC.
• Loopback detection and cable diagnostics.
• IGMP snooping.
• D-Link Network Assistant Utility (DNA) web-based interface for switch configuration.
• Fanless design.
• Energy efficient.
• Compact and rackmountable.

Key features of a network switch

Some of the most important features to consider when choosing the best network switch for your business include port density, data transfer speed, VLAN support, QoS, and PoE.

Port density

Port density refers to the number of ports or Ethernet interfaces the network switch has and determines how many devices can be directly connected to the switch.

High port density is important for scalability in growing networks, allowing for the accommodation of more devices without adding infrastructure. It also contributes to efficient resource utilization and reduces network complexity by consolidating devices.

Data transfer speed

Data transfer speed, measured in megabits or gigabits per second (Mbps/Gbps), signifies the data transmission rate between devices connected to the switch.

Faster data transfer speeds effectively support data-intensive applications and large file transfers. Higher speeds, such as 1 Gbps and 10 Gbps, contribute to smooth data transmission, preventing network congestion.

VLAN support

The VLAN support feature enables network segmentation into multiple virtual networks, with each VLAN operating separately. This provides isolation and control over network traffic, bolstering overall security and network organization.

VLAN support is critical in business settings where different departments or user groups call for separate network segments.

Quality of Service (QoS)

Quality of Service (QoS) encompasses a set of technologies and protocols that prioritize specific types of network traffic.

It is particularly valuable in environments with varying applications and bandwidth requirements. QoS also helps maintain consistent and high-quality experience for real-time applications like VoIP.

Power over Ethernet (PoE)

Power over Ethernet (PoE) lets the network switch deliver both data and electrical power over the same Ethernet cable. As a result, devices like IP cameras, wireless access points, and VoIP phones can receive power and data over a single Ethernet cable, simplifying installation and eliminating the need for additional wires and power sources.

In a business environment, this feature facilitates the deployment of devices in locations with limited power outlets or where a clean and organized cabling infrastructure is necessary.

How we evaluated network switches

In order to find the best network switch, we meticulously examined and compared several network switches in the market today. We considered five major criteria in our assessment: cost, core features, customer support, scalability and performance, and ease of installation.

We evaluated the performance of each network switch for every criteria and rated them accordingly. Then we calculated their total scores.

Cost – 20%

For the Cost category, we considered the pricing range of each switch, its warranty, and pricing transparency of the network switch company.

Criterion winner: TRENDnet TEG-S24Dg

Core features – 40%

To grade the core features, we factored in port density, data transfer speed, management type, PoE, QoS, VLAN support, energy efficiency, and built-in security capability.

Criterion winners: Cisco Catalyst 9000, Ubiquiti Unifi Switch, and Juniper EX2300.

Customer support – 10%

To compute the scores for this criteria, we checked if each vendor offers several customer support options, like live chat, phone, email, active community, and in-depth documentation or knowledge base. We also verified if real-time assistance is available to customers 24/7.

Criterion winners: Cisco Catalyst 9000, NETGEAR MSM4352, Linksys LGS116P, and Juniper EX2300.

Scalability and performance – 15%

We measured scalability and performance separately for this category:

For scalability, we gauged the features offered by the network that will allow them to handle significant network growth. This includes scalability, PoE, QoS, and security features.

To evaluate performance, we checked the transfer speeds and latency of each network switch and researched any connectivity issues from numerous user reviews.

Criterion winners: Cisco Catalyst 9000, NETGEAR MSM4352, Ubiquiti Unifi Switch, and Juniper EX2300.

Ease of installation – 15%

We used two different methods to assess the ease of installation for managed and unmanaged switches.

For managed switches, we studied multiple user reviews from independent sources to determine if the network switch is easy to set up with clear instructions, and doesn’t need specialized knowledge.

For unmanaged switches, we checked if the switch has a plug-and-play functionality, eliminating complex networking configuration. We also reviewed customer feedback to find out if the switch is easy to install from the users’ perspectives.

Criterion winners: Cisco Catalyst 9000, NETGEAR MSM4352, Ubiquiti Unifi Switch, Linksys LGS116P, TRENDnet TEG-S24Dg, and TP-Link TL-SG3452XP.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who is the leader in network switches?

After our rigorous assessment, we concluded that the leader in network switches when it comes to overall capability is Cisco Catalyst 9000.

In terms of business growth, the leader in network switches is Cisco according to MarketsandMarkets.

What is the most complex network switch?

Based on our research, the most complex switches are Juniper EX2300 and D-Link DGS-1100-24PV2. Users find these switches challenging to set up and configure.

Do home networks need robust network switches?

For small home networks with a few devices, a basic unmanaged switch is usually adequate. However, if your network involves bandwidth-intensive activities, like online gaming, 4K streaming, or multiple simultaneous video calls, investing in a more robust or managed switch, such as Cisco or NETGEAR, may be beneficial.

Bottom line: Choosing the best switch for your network

There are several factors you have to consider in choosing the best network switch for your needs. Aside from finding the fastest Ethernet switch, you also have to take cost, customer support quality, scalability, and ease of installation into consideration.

This recommendation for best network switches serves as a guide to help you find the most trusted enterprise networking companies and switches that can meet your requirements.

Read our recommendation on the best network security software and tools for enterprises to effectively protect your networks from unauthorized access, data breach, and cyber threats.

The post 9 Best Network Switches for 2024: Speed and Features Compared appeared first on Enterprise Networking Planet.

Let’s explore essential network patch management best practices, including establishing a patch management policy, automating deployment, prioritizing urgent vulnerabilities, testing patches thoroughly, maintaining an updated inventory, creating a rollback plan, enforcing least privilege access, monitoring and auditing compliance, and training employees.

1. Establish a patch management policy

A patch management policy gives a clear framework for how your organization will manage patches. It promotes consistency and accountability, and standardizes patch assessment and application procedures. It also aids in risk management, regulation compliance, and resource allocation. Furthermore, it facilitates communication and awareness regarding the entire patch management process.

Expert tips:

• Regularly review and update your patch management policy to check if it remains relevant and effective as your organization and technological needs evolve.
• Engage stakeholders in policy development.
• Clearly outline the roles and responsibilities of individuals involved in the patch management process.

2. Automate patch deployment

Using automated patch management tools for patch deployment supports the consistent and timely application of updates. Automation decreases the likelihood of human error and makes sure that security teams don’t miss any high-priority patches, thus improving the overall network security. Patch management software solutions like Acronis offer this feature.

Expert tips:

• Choose a software that fits your organization’s needs and scale. There are many reliable patch management solutions that can handle various types and system volumes you need to patch.
• Integrate patch deployment automation with SIEM systems to improve visibility.
• Develop and implement a test automation framework for patch deployment.

3. Prioritize critical vulnerabilities

By prioritizing the remediation of high-severity vulnerabilities, you ensure proper resource allocation to the most serious network security threats first. This minimizes the window of opportunity for potential attackers to exploit these vulnerabilities.

Expert tips:

• Use a vulnerability scoring system like the common vulnerability scoring system (CVSS) to help prioritize patching based on the severity of vulnerabilities.
• Form a cross-functional team involving members from IT, security, operations, and business units to collectively assess and prioritize critical vulnerabilities for a thorough understanding of both technical and business considerations.
• Adopt a risk-based approach to prioritize critical vulnerabilities based on their potential impact on the organization.

4. Test patches thoroughly

Rigorously testing patches in a controlled environment is vital before deploying them to production systems. This enables identifying potential conflicts, compatibility issues, or unintended consequences that could disrupt operations. Tools like ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus can help in this regard.

Expert tips:

• Conduct thorough testing in an environment that mirrors your production setup. This provides a realistic simulation of production conditions and helps meet compliance requirements in certain industries.
• Create detailed test cases and consider variations in operating systems, software configurations, and network environments within your organization.

5. Maintain an updated inventory

Keep a comprehensive inventory of all devices and software in your network, such as servers, workstations, and network appliances. Regularly update this inventory to reflect changes in your infrastructure to enhance the accuracy of targeting patches to the appropriate systems. SolarWinds Patch Manager can assist with maintaining an updated inventory.

Expert tips:

• Use automated asset discovery tools to ensure that you don’t overlook any devices during patching. These tools can greatly ease the manual effort required for inventory management, enabling IT teams to concentrate on tasks of higher strategic importance.
• Extend the inventory beyond a simple list of assets by capturing relationships and dependencies between different components.
• Integrate the inventory system with configuration management tools to maintain consistency and accuracy in asset information.

6. Create a rollback plan

A rollback plan is a set of procedures that will support reverting systems to their previous state in case a patch causes unexpected problems or conflicts. It cuts down downtime in the event of patch deployment issues, allowing for a quick recovery.

Expert tips:

• Routinely simulate rollback scenarios to verify the effectiveness of the plan. Conduct mock rollbacks in a controlled environment to uncover potential challenges or gaps in the process so the IT team can optimize the rollback plan for real-world situations.
• Document detailed rollback procedures to guarantee smooth execution.
• Define clear communication protocols to follow in the event of a rollback.

7. Enforce least privilege access

Limit user and system privileges to the minimum required for normal operation to control the potential impact of security vulnerabilities. Restricting access minimizes the attack surface. By granting only necessary permissions, your organizations can diminish the risk of unauthorized modifications to key systems during the patching process.

Expert tips:

• Implement a regular review process for user and system privileges to ensure they remain at the appropriate level even after job roles and responsibilities change.
• Employ role-based access control (RBAC) to assign permissions based on job roles, streamline access management, and reduce complexity.
• Track and audit user activity to detect any unusual or unauthorized access patterns.

8. Monitor and audit patch compliance

Continuously monitor your network to maintain patch compliance and frequently audit systems to confirm the application of patches aligns with established policies. This allows you to identify and rectify any deviations, thus maintaining a consistently secure and up-to-date network environment.

Expert tips:

• Use a centralized patch management dashboard to monitor patch compliance and get real-time visibility into your patching status.
• Segment your network into logical zones and monitor patch compliance within each segment.
• Set up thresholds for acceptable patch compliance levels and configure alerts for deviations from these thresholds.

9. Train employees on the importance of regular updates

Educating employees is crucial to emphasize the significance of regularly updating systems and software. Informed employees are less likely to make errors, contributing to heightened security awareness across your organization. This creates a culture of vigilance and responsibility in relation to software updates.

Expert tips:

• Provide training with real-world examples and scenarios to enhance employee understanding. Using real-world examples and scenarios contextualizes theoretical knowledge, making it more tangible and applicable for employees. 
• Offer periodic refresher courses and updates to reinforce the training content.

Bottom line: Follow patch management best practices

The goal of network patch management is not just to fix problems but to proactively maintain the health and security of your network and systems. By following the best practices outlined in this article, your organizations can reduce vulnerability to cyberthreats.

Regular vulnerability assessments, prioritizing patches based on criticality, thorough testing in controlled environments, and automated deployment processes form the foundation of a robust strategy.

In addition, maintaining an updated inventory, a well-defined rollback plan, and enforcing least privilege access contribute to a secure infrastructure. Employee training boosts overall awareness and decreases the risk of human error, while continuous monitoring and audits ensure ongoing compliance.

It’s worth noting, though, that in order to achieve comprehensive network security, it’s imperative to integrate best practices for both networking devices and software applications. This involves adhering to software patch management best practices as well to bolster the security of the entire IT infrastructure.

These patch management best practices, coupled with expert tips, can strengthen your organization’s defense, creating a resilient and well-protected network.

Establishing a patch management policy is an important part of an effective patch management process. Learn how to create your own policy in our complete guide, complete with free template and examples.

The post 9 Network Patch Management Best Practices and Tips appeared first on Enterprise Networking Planet.

For more information, read our complete guide to creating a patch management policy.

Overview

(Company Name) recognizes the importance of effective patch management in maintaining the security of the network and the information technology infrastructure. Our Patch Management Policy establishes a framework for systematically identifying, testing, and deploying software and system updates. It underscores our commitment to a structured approach to patch management, ensuring the integrity and reliability of our IT environment.

*[The overview section must succinctly describe the policy’s goals and the extent of its coverage. It serves as an introduction to help stakeholders understand the importance of patch management and its role in maintaining security and system integrity within the organization.]*

Purpose

(Company Name) has established the patch management policy to achieve the following objectives:

• Mitigate security risks: Address vulnerabilities and reduce the risk of security breaches, data loss, and unauthorized access.
• Ensure system stability: Minimize operational disruptions and system failures.
• Maintain compliance and accountability: Emphasize our commitment to responsible IT management and compliance with relevant laws, regulations, and industry standards.
• Enhance user trust: Foster trust among users, clients, and partners who rely on the security and reliability of our systems.

Scope

The scope of this policy pertains to the following IT resources directly related to patch management:

• Hardware assets: All hardware resources involved in the organization’s IT infrastructure and operations, including servers, workstations, and network equipment.
• Software assets: All software applications and systems, including operating systems, software applications, and software licenses.
• User accounts and access: User accounts and access permissions associated with IT resources.
• Licensing and compliance: Software licenses, compliance documentation related to patching, and software usage records that impact patch management activities.

Audience

This policy applies to the following key stakeholders and groups:

• All employees: Who interact with or have access to our IT infrastructure.
• IT department: Responsible for executing the patch management procedures, such as identification, testing, deployment, and documentation.
• Third-party vendors: Expected to provide patches and updates for their software or services used within the organization promptly.
• Contractors: Who work within the organization’s IT environment.

Patch Management Policy Details

a. Roles and Responsibilities

(Company Name)’s IT department is responsible for:

• Identifying, testing, and deploying patches in a timely manner.
• Documenting patch management activities.
• Maintaining a rollback plan for unforeseen issues during patch deployment.
• Ensuring compliance with this policy and relevant regulations.

End users must:

• Report vulnerabilities and issues promptly to the IT department.
• Adhere to security best practices and user awareness guidelines provided by the IT department.

Third-party vendors should:

• Promptly provide patches and updates for their software used within the organization, in accordance with service-level agreements (SLAs) or contractual agreements.

b. Patch Identification

(Company Name) places critical importance on the effective identification of patches to ensure staying informed about vulnerabilities and available fixes. The following responsibilities pertain to patch identification:

• Regular scanning using automated tools to detect missing patches.
• Promptly receiving and assessing vendor notifications for relevant patches.
• Monitoring common vulnerabilities and exposures (CVE) databases for potential threats. 

c. Patching Priority

Responsibilities related to patching priority include:

• Risk Assessment: The IT Department systematically prioritizes patches based on the severity of vulnerabilities and their potential impact on the organization. 
• Critical Systems: Critical systems and applications within our organization will receive top priority for patching.

d. Patch Testing

Patches will be tested in a controlled environment before deployment to minimize the risk of unforeseen issues. During patch testing:

• Test environment: The network administrators will set up and maintain a controlled test environment to rigorously evaluate patches for their impact on system functionality and stability before deployment in the production environment.
• Feedback: The IT team will actively gather feedback from users to identify any compatibility issues.

e. Patch Deployment

The following guidelines should be followed during patch deployment:

• Maintenance windows: Network administrators plan regular maintenance windows for patch deployment to minimize operational disruptions. 
• Automation: If applicable, the IT team may employ patch management software solutions with automated tools for patch deployment.
• Change management: (Company Name) follows the change management process for patch deployment. The change management team oversees the planning and execution of patch-related changes to ensure that they are well-coordinated and meet business needs.

f. Patch Documentation

Careful patch documentation will be kept to aid in tracking and auditing patching activities. This will facilitate our regulatory compliance and accountability. The process encompasses:

• Record keeping: Our system administrators are responsible for maintaining detailed records of all patches applied. This includes recording the date of application, patch version, and the specific systems affected.
• Documentation repository: The IT Department ensures that patch documentation is stored in a centralized repository for auditing and tracking. This repository is accessible to authorized personnel and promotes transparency.

g. Emergency Patching

To ensure swift response to high-risk vulnerabilities, the following should be followed during emergency patching:

• Emergency procedures: The IT Department will define and implement emergency procedures to expedite the patching process, reducing the potential impact of vulnerabilities.
• Emergency notifications: Relevant stakeholders will be promptly notified.

h. Rollback Plan

To prepare for potential complications to maintain system stability, we will build a rollback plan, which includes:

• Contingency plan: The IT Department will develop a plan that outlines the steps to be taken in case of issues following patch deployment. 
• Backups: Ensuring the availability of data and system backups is a responsibility shared across our system administrators. These are vital for data recovery and system restoration in the event of patch-related failures.

i. User Awareness

User training and communication about patching processes will be conducted to create a security-conscious organizational culture. End users will also play a key role in reporting vulnerabilities and maintaining security awareness. We will follow these guidelines in improving user awareness:

• Training: The Training Department, in collaboration with the IT Department, conducts user training to educate employees on the significance of reporting vulnerabilities promptly and fostering their understanding of the patching process.
• User notifications: Our communication team will inform all users about scheduled patch deployments and any necessary actions they should take.

Compliance and Reporting

(Company name) will perform ongoing assessment of policy adherence to demonstrate compliance with industry standards. We will also encourage the reporting of security incidents for early detection and prompt mitigation. Responsibilities related to compliance and reporting include:

• Regular auditing: The Compliance Team performs regular audits to ensure compliance with the patch management policy.
• Incident reporting: Our Incident Response Team will establish a process for reporting security incidents related to patch management to enable prompt identification and resolution.
• Compliance reports: The IT Department will generate and review compliance reports on patch status and vulnerability mitigation to measure effectiveness and identify areas for improvement.

Patch Management Policy Maintenance

Policy Review and Revision

(Company Name) will follow these processes to make sure the Patch Management Policy remains effective and up-to-date: 

• Annual review: We will conduct an annual review of the Patch Management Policy. This review will assess the policy’s relevance, alignment with best practices, and success in addressing emerging threats.
• Feedback mechanism: We will administer the collection and assessment of feedback to identify areas for improvement.
• Policy updates: Any identified deficiencies or areas requiring improvement will result in updates to the Patch Management Policy. Our IT team will document these updates and communicate to all relevant stakeholders.

Policy Enforcement

The IT Department, in collaboration with Human Resources and Legal, will oversee policy enforcement. Non-compliance with the Patch Management Policy may result in disciplinary actions, as outlined in the policy.

Exceptions

(Company Name) understands that exceptions to this policy may be necessary under certain circumstances. Exceptions may be granted under the following conditions:

• In cases where immediate patch deployment may disrupt critical business operations, exceptions may be considered. The IT department must give their approval for exceptions.
• In instances where legacy systems or software that are no longer supported by vendors require specific patches, and applying them would cause system instability.
• When compliance with this policy conflicts with regulatory requirements or standards. For these cases, users must formally request exceptions, which the  IT team must approve after evaluation.
• For third-party software or services when (Company Name) has limited control over patch deployment. Justification and documentation should accompany these exceptions. The IT team is responsible for approving exceptions.

Violations and Penalties

Non-compliance can have serious consequences, as it may expose the organization to security risks and operational disruptions. Violations of this policy may result in the following penalties:

• Employee violations: Any employee found to be in violation of this policy may be subject to disciplinary action, which can include verbal or written warnings, suspension, or termination of employment, as deemed appropriate by the Human Resources department and in accordance with the organization’s HR policies.
• Contractors and third-party vendors: Non-compliance by contractors or third-party vendors may lead to contract termination, financial penalties, or legal action as stipulated in contractual agreements.
• Legal implications: Non-compliance that results in security breaches or data loss may lead to legal action against the responsible party or parties.
• Financial penalties: Violations that result in financial losses to the organization may lead to financial penalties, restitution, or damages sought through legal means.

(Company Name) reserves the right to take appropriate action in response to policy violations, with penalties commensurate with the severity and impact of the violation.

Acknowledgment of Patch Management Policy

This form is used to acknowledge receipt of and compliance with the organization’s Patch Management Policy.

PROCEDURE

Complete the following steps:

1. Read the Patch Management Policy.
2. Sign and date in the spaces provided.
3. Submit the signed form to [Specify the appropriate department or contact] for record-keeping.

SIGNATURE

Your signature attests that you agree to the following terms:

I. I have received and read a copy of the Patch Management Policy and understand and agree to the same.

II. I understand the organization’s commitment to maintaining a secure and stable IT environment through this policy.

III. I will comply with the policy’s provisions and take responsibility for reporting vulnerabilities and adhering to security best practices.

IV. I acknowledge that non-compliance with the Patch Management Policy may result in disciplinary actions, as outlined in the policy.

DISCLAIMER:

This patch management policy serves as a resource and is not a replacement for legal counsel. If you have legal inquiries pertaining to this policy, we recommend consulting with your legal department or attorney.

5 Examples of Real Patch Management Policies

The following real patch management policy examples can give an idea of how you can modify our template or create one of your own. Each of these has unique components worth considering in developing your patch management policy:

1. Liaison International Patch Management Policy and Procedure

Liaison International’s patch management policy emphasizes maintaining network systems and data integrity through timely security updates. Its standout feature is its comprehensive process and guidelines, which include proper application and management of security updates.

It has a responsibility assignment section that clearly defines the roles and responsibilities of different teams within the organization, such as the IT Director, CFO, IT Security team, and QA/Dev Engineer. This ensures accountability and smooth execution of the policy. It also covers zero-day and emergency security patching.

2. University of Portland Patch Management Policy

The University of Portland Patch Management Policy covers all devices that the university owns and mandates the application of the latest security patches. It provides a schedule for patch application, which varies based on the severity and importance of the patches. The University requires testing of all patches before implementation, and any schedule deviations need documentation and approval.

The policy includes a procedure for deferring patches that cannot follow the schedule, where it requires a written explanation for the patch deferral. This confirms justification and documentation for all policy deviations. 

Furthermore, this policy integrates with the change management policy, requiring an authorized system administrator to log a change ticket when there’s an announcement about a patch. This procedure effectively tracks and manages all changes.

3. Action1 Patch Management Policy

The Action1 Patch Management Policy centralizes the process of discovering, testing, and distributing patches from a cloud console. It secures prompt deployment of all updates, patches, and hotfixes to remote endpoints, regardless of their location or network connectivity.

Key features of this policy include automated patch deployment, patch approval, and reboot options. Administrators can set approval procedures, allowing automatic deployment of critical patches without manual approval. Additionally, they can configure mandatory reboots and user notifications for computers that will restart.

This patch management policy also has a version history, allowing admins to track all changes made to the policy.

4. Salisbury University Patch Management Policy

This Salisbury University Patch Management Policy aims to prevent the exploitation of known vulnerabilities within the university’s IT infrastructure. It applies to all IT assets that the university owns and manages. It delivers a clear strategy for implementing patch management processes within the Salisbury University Information Technology (SUIT) department.

The policy calls for the submission of vulnerability scanning results against critical systems for internal audit for review each quarter. This supports regular monitoring and allows for immediate identification and remediation of any issues.

Moreover, it outlines detailed requirements for security patches, including a methodology for discovering and tracking SUIT managed assets, active monitoring of security sources for vulnerability announcements, patch and non-patch remediation, and emerging threats that correspond to the software within SUIT systems.

5. University of Reading Patch Management Policy

The components of the University of Reading Patch Management Policy work together to protect and update the university’s IT systems, reducing exposure to vulnerabilities.

This patch management policy streamlines centrally-managed patching, allowing for better control and coordination of the patch management process. It also mandates users to reboot their devices when prompted to do so, reaffirming effective patch applications and updated systems.

Moreover, the policy dictates that patch installation should occur within specific timeframes, depending on their severity rating by the vendor. For example, the Digital Technology Services (DTS) should apply patches rated as “Critical” within 7 days of their release, and those rated as “High” within 14 days.

The post Free Patch Management Policy Template (+Examples) appeared first on Enterprise Networking Planet.

Your company can avoid conflicts and streamline operations with a well-defined patch management policy. It outlines the timing and methods for applying patches, directly preventing disruptions from improper patching practices.

Furthermore, by having a robust patch management policy, organizations can demonstrate their commitment to maintaining secure systems, which can be significant during audits.

What is a patch management policy?

Patch management policies are a set of documented guidelines to ensure controlled, efficient, and secure patching. Organizations follow these guidelines when patching bugs and vulnerabilities to maintain the security, stability, and performance of computer systems and networks.

Components of patch management policies

The specific details of a patch management policy can vary depending on your organization’s size and complexity and the nature of your IT infrastructure. However, a typical patch management policy includes asset inventory, role assignments, patch testing and deployment, risk assessment and prioritization, scheduling, documentation, backup, policy approval, rollback plan, and periodic review and modification.

Asset inventory

This entails maintaining a detailed list of all hardware and software assets used in your organization. It serves as a comprehensive catalog of your IT resources, including servers, computers, and applications.

Role assignments

This involves designating specific roles to team members involved in the patch management process. It defines who is responsible for tasks like identifying patches, testing them, deploying them, and monitoring their effectiveness. Clear roles ensure accountability and a smooth patch management workflow.

Patch testing and deployment

The core of patch management, this element covers identifying software with vulnerabilities, evaluating the patches available to fix these vulnerabilities, testing these patches in a controlled environment, deploying them across the organization, and verifying their successful installation.

Risk assessment and prioritization

Responsible patch management requires evaluating the risks associated with vulnerabilities that patches aim to address. This allows IT teams to prioritize patching efforts, focusing on vulnerabilities with the highest criticality and potential damage. By prioritizing, your organizations can deal with the most severe security issues first.

Scheduling

You’ll want to carefully schedule your patch applications and maintenance windows outside of normal business operating hours to minimize disruption to employee productivity or customer service. Make sure you trigger notifications to warn your users in advance of any planned or expected downtime.

Documentation

Maintain detailed records of all patching activities, including dates, details of patches, and any issues encountered by you or your end users. This should include recording the installed patches, the installation time, the systems updated with these patches, and any problems that occurred during the process.

Backup

Backing up refers to regularly preserving important data and system configurations. This is crucial to ensure data integrity and give a fallback option in case patching leads to unexpected problems.

Backups prevent data loss and offer a quick recovery to a stable system state. They support rollback procedures, facilitate patch testing, and serve as part of disaster recovery planning, ultimately reducing the risks associated with patch deployment.

Rollback plan

This section outlines the process and procedures for reverting or undoing a software patch or update in case it causes unforeseen issues or system instability. The main purpose of a rollback plan is to guarantee system reliability and reduce downtime or negative impact on your organization’s IT infrastructure by preparing for the worst.

Policy approval

After developing the policy, stakeholders and executives should circulate it for approval to confirm that everyone understands its implications and is on board.

Periodic review and modification

Once it’s all been codified and confirmed, keep regularly reviewing and updating your patch management policy. Technology evolves, and so do security threats. Periodic review and modification ensure that the policy remains effective and adapts to changing needs and circumstances within your organization.

How to create a patch management policy

Creating a patch management policy commonly involves defining scope and objectives, identifying responsible parties, building an inventory and assessing vulnerability, setting criteria for prioritizing patches, testing and deployment, selecting a patch deployment schedule, and monitoring and generating reports.

1. Define the scope and objectives

Begin by defining the scope of your patch management policy clearly. Decide which systems and software you will cover, including operating systems, applications, and devices. Also, set the objectives of the policy. These objectives will aid in maintaining the security and reliability of your systems.

2. Identify responsible parties

Determine who will be responsible for various aspects of patch management, such as patch testing, deployment, and monitoring. This may involve IT administrators, security teams, and other relevant personnel.

3. Build an inventory and assess vulnerability

Create an inventory of all the hardware and software assets in your organization. Perform regular vulnerability assessments to uncover security weaknesses and prioritize which systems or applications require immediate attention. Tools like vulnerability scanners can assist in this process.

4. Set criteria for prioritizing patches

Establish a clear criteria and methodology for prioritizing patches. You should consider factors such as the severity of the vulnerability, the potential impact on your organization’s network security, and any regulatory or compliance requirements. Address serious vulnerabilities as a top priority.

5. Testing and deployment

Build a structured process to test patches before you deploy them in your production environment. Set up a staging or test environment to evaluate patches for compatibility and potential issues. Deploy patches to the live systems only after successful testing and use automated deployment tools to make the process more efficient.

6. Establish a patch deployment schedule

Establish a patch deployment schedule that aligns with your organization’s needs. This could include regular maintenance windows or maintenance cycles. Make sure to have procedures ready for managing emergency patches, particularly for vulnerabilities that require prompt resolution.

7. Monitor and generate reports

Implement continuous monitoring to keep an eye on missing patches, system health, and security events. Create a reporting mechanism for regular updates on the status of patch management to relevant stakeholders. Use information from these reports to adjust your patch management policy as needed.

Tips and best practices when creating a patch management policy

There are several things to keep in mind when creating a patch management policy, like understanding the impact of patch updates, establishing clear protocols, creating an inventory, conducting a risk assessment, enabling automatic updates, performing regular reviews, creating an enterprise strategy, and measuring the policy’s success.

Understand the impact of patch updates

It’s vital to comprehend how patch updates will affect the reliability of various products, services, and systems. This understanding can help in planning and executing the patching process in a way that decreases disruption and maximizes efficacy.

Establish clear protocols

Clear protocols provide a roadmap for security teams and IT admins to follow before approving a patch for deployment across all systems. These protocols should cover risk assessment, testing, validation, and change management, optimizing management of every aspect of the patch management process.

Create an inventory

Build an up-to-date inventory of all hardware and software assets within your organization. This includes servers, workstations, laptops, mobile devices, and applications. Outline procedures for identifying, categorizing, and prioritizing systems to prevent overlooking any resource during the patching process.

Conduct a risk assessment

By conducting a rigorous risk assessment, you can make informed decisions about which vulnerabilities to address first. You can evaluate the potential damage of vulnerabilities and the likelihood of exploitation and direct your management efforts toward the most critical areas of concern.

Enable automatic updates

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) recommends enabling automatic updates whenever possible. This allows your organization to keep systems up-to-date without manual intervention. Fortunately, most leading patch management software solutions come with automatic patching features.

Perform regular reviews

Regularly reviewing your policy ensures that it still meets the evolving organizational needs, changes in technology, and emerging threats. This helps in maintaining the effectiveness of the policy over time.

Create an enterprise strategy

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) recommends creating an enterprise strategy that simplifies and operationalizes patching while also improving its risk reduction capabilities. It should encompass collaboration between leadership at all levels of an organization, along with business owners and security/technology management teams. Collaborating helps every individual grasp the role of patching and actively contribute to preserving the organization’s security.

Measure success of the policy

Finally, gauge the success of the policy with metrics to evaluate how well your patch management policy is working in your organization. Here are some of the metrics you can use:

• Key performance indicators (KPIs): Establishing KPIs for your patch management program is the best way to evaluate its success. These could include historical data on the average time it takes to apply a patch and historical data on unpatched vulnerabilities.
• Patch compliance rate: This metric gauges how well an organization adheres to its own patch management policies and requirements. It can help identify areas where you can refine the patching process.
• Time to patch: This important metric measures the average time it takes to apply a patch after its release. A shorter time to patch generally indicates a more efficient patch management process.
• Patch management solution coverage: This measures what proportion of the organization’s devices the current patch management solutions cover.
• Efficiency measures: These measures cover information on patch compliance, failed patches, and similar data.

8 benefits of patch management policies

Despite the upfront work involved, developing a comprehensive patch management policy can provide a bevy of benefits to your organization, ranging from better documentation and accountability to improved system performance — not to mention, of course, all of the security benefits.

1. Promotes accountability: A patch management policy clearly defines the roles and responsibilities of each team member relevant to the patching process. This promotes accountability and guarantees that everyone knows their role in maintaining the security of the organization.
2. Documented processes and expectations: A well-documented patch management policy presents guidelines on how to handle patches. Both new and existing employees can easily understand their expectations, promoting consistency in the patching process.
3. Minimizes exposure to cyberattacks: A good patch management policy reduces your organization’s vulnerability to cyberattacks. By updating all systems with the latest security patches, it decreases the chances of a breach.
4. Reduces business downtime: A good patch management policy can also help in minimizing business downtime caused by improper patching practices. By outlining procedures for testing and deploying patches, it supports correct and efficient patch application, thereby reducing the likelihood of system downtime.
5. Increases security: A well-established patch management policy can bolster the overall security of an organization by  fixing security vulnerabilities promptly. By applying patches swiftly, the policy addresses known vulnerabilities in software that attackers might take advantage of. This reduces the risk of unauthorized access to business systems and data.
6. Maintains compliance: Many industry regulations require businesses to have certain security measures in place, including regular systems patching. Therefore, having a comprehensive patch management policy can help an organization stay compliant with these regulations.
7. Improves efficiency and functionality: Patch management policies can also contribute to better system performance and efficiency because patches often include enhancements to the actual functionality of a system.
8. Standardizes patching process: A well-defined patch management policy standardizes the patching process across the organization. As a result, all technicians follow the same procedures when applying patches, leading to more consistent results and easier troubleshooting.

Bottom line: Boost security with an effective patch management policy

A well-structured patch management policy helps organizations address vulnerabilities, bolster security, and maintain operational stability. It can also aid in ensuring compliance with industry standards and regulatory requirements, instill confidence among stakeholders, and offer adaptability to changing security environments.

In creating your patch management policy, there are many things to consider, including understanding the results of patch updates, establishing clear protocols, activating automatic updates, creating an enterprise strategy, and measuring the policy’s success. Following best practices in crafting your patch management policy will boost its effectiveness.

To get started, you can create your own, or use our free patch management policy template. Also, be sure to review our list of the best patch management software.

The post How to Create a Patch Management Policy: Complete Guide appeared first on Enterprise Networking Planet.

Fortunately, a solution is available in the form of automated patch management, which uses various tools and techniques to streamline the patching process at scale. This article will guide you through the basics of setting up automated patch management in your organization, as well as explaining how it works, its benefits and challenges, and providing a few recommended solutions to help you get started.

What is automatic patching?

Automatic patching is an IT management practice that employs specialized software tools to streamline the detection, download, testing, and deployment of updates and patches to software, operating systems, and other system vulnerabilities. It primarily aims to enhance system security by addressing known vulnerabilities as soon as they are discovered.

Automatic patching reduces the workload on IT teams by eliminating the need for manual tracking and deployment of software patches and updates.

Automatic vs. manual patching

Automatic patching involves the use of automated tools and processes to deploy updates and security patches. Manual patching, on the other hand, requires human intervention to initiate, download, and install software updates and patches.

The following table compares automatic and manual patching:

How automated patch management works

When you deploy an automated patch management tool, the initial step is usually to scan the target environment for systems and applications that require updates and then deploy updates automatically, either when they become available or at predetermined rules or schedules.

Let’s consider an organization that uses an automated patch management system for its network of computers. The system, at predetermined intervals, scans all the computers in the network to identify outdated or vulnerable software.

When a critical security patch becomes available from a trusted source, the patch management system automatically downloads it and tests it on some of the computers to be sure the new updates don’t wreak havoc on any applications.

If the testing goes well, the patch is deployed across all the computers in the network during a maintenance window, usually set by the organization’s IT or system administrators for a time outside of normal business hours.

How to automate patching for your network

In order to automate patch management at your organization, you’ll need to select an effective tool, configure its settings, establish redundancies, audit and report on results, and continuously monitor your processes.

1. Select an automated patch management tool

The first step is, of course, to choose the automated patch management tool you want to go with for your devices. There are a few choices to get you started at the bottom of this article, or you can read our complete guide to the best patch management solutions for more advice on how to make the right selection for your particular use case.

2. Configure your settings

Once you’ve set up your patch management tool, it’s time to determine the settings that will guide your automations. These include:

• Patch sources: Indicate the sources you will want to receive patches from, including your operating systems, software, apps, and hardware. Ensure thorough scanning for missing patches and updates, as certain software vendors may not offer easily accessible patch information for automated tools. If needed, manually visit the vendor’s website to verify patch availability.
• Scan schedule: Determine how often you want the tool to scan the network for new patches for each of your software and hardware groups, and schedule the scans accordingly.
• Test groups: Name a few particular devices of each type to test each patch before deploying to the rest of the organization. This step is vital because patching can sometimes introduce compatibility issues with existing software. Test the patches in a safe environment (i.e., isolated systems) to ensure it is compatible with your current network setup.
• Maintenance windows: Decide what time patches will be deployed in order to minimize any disruptions or downtime.
• Prioritization levels: Assess system criticality and importance before patch deployment. Prioritize based on business needs and have a rollback plan ready in case of unexpected issues.

3. Establish redundancy and failover systems

Implement redundancy and failover for critical systems to provide backup in case of patching issues. This allows continuous operation of the software during problem resolution.

Although your test groups should catch any issues before they make it to this stage, delayed onset of failures and vulnerabilities is always possible — and in any case, when it comes to your data you can never be too careful.

4. Audit and report statuses and results

Automation can save your team a ton of time and effort, but it’s still not a fix-it-and-forget-it process. You’ll need to maintain detailed records of the patch management process, including patch type, application dates, and targeted systems. These reports aid in compliance and troubleshooting patch-related problems.

Many patch management solutions will create this documentation for you, but it’s still important to double-check it manually after each deployment to ensure all relevant information is present and accurate.

5. Monitor processes continually

Finally, you’ll want to keep an eye on all your automated patches, your settings, and those audits and reports that you’re keeping. If anything seems out of the ordinary, investigate immediately and thoroughly. Even if things seem to be going smoothly, regularly look for opportunities to tweak and streamline your settings for improved performance as you go.

Benefits of automating patch management

Automating patch management offers various benefits for organizations seeking to enhance their system security, from improved security and maintenance to reduced costs and response times.

• Enhanced security posture: Delayed vulnerability patching increases the risk of cyberattack. Automating patch management enhances an organization’s overall network security by reducing the risk of security breaches and data loss due to outdated systems.
• Simplified network maintenance: Automated patch management simplifies what can be an extremely complex and time-consuming network management task. This not only eases the administrative burden but also minimizes the chances of human error.
• Quick response to emerging threats: Automated patch management systems can promptly detect and deploy patches as they become available. This agility empowers organizations to quickly counter emerging cyberthreats and stay ahead of the evolving cybersecurity environment.
• Cost efficiency: Automating patch management cuts costs by reducing manual work and potential security incident expenses, not to mention the reputational hit from a data breach.

Common issues when automating patching

While the benefits of automating patch management are plentiful, there are some challenges that can’t be overlooked, including compatibility issues, bandwidth use, 

• Compatibility issues: Patches can sometimes conflict with existing software configurations and lead to system instability. Companies should invest in patch management solutions that offer comprehensive compatibility testing and provide detailed reports on potential conflicts.
• Bandwidth and network impact: When running patch scans, downloads, and deployment automatically across many systems, it can strain network bandwidth and cause disruptions. This can slow down essential business operations and impact user experience, unless you are careful to schedule these processes for off-hours.
• Security tool integration: Integrating patch management software with existing security tools involves complex configurations and compatibility between different security tools. As a result, organizations may face difficulties aligning these processes with their broader security strategies.
• Dealing with legacy systems: Some organizations still rely on their old, legacy systems and applications. Automating security patches on these systems can be challenging, as vendors often discontinue support for older software.

Who should automate patch management?

Automating patch management is recommended for organizations of all sizes and across various industries. It helps maintain IT systems’ security, stability, and compliance and reduces the risk of data breaches and cyberattacks.

However, the specific tools and processes for patch management may vary depending on the organization’s size, industry, and regulatory requirements. The larger and more complex the organization, the more critical an effective automated patch management system becomes.

Top 3 automated patch management solutions

There are many automated patch management solutions in the market today. Here are a few of our top picks.

Atera

Atera is a cloud-based platform for IT management. It offers automation, custom scripting, ticketing, reporting, and patch management. It supports various software like Chrome and Microsoft Office. Administrators can create automation profiles and generate detailed patching reports.

Plans start at $149/mo. for an individual Professional plan and go up from there.

NinjaOne

NinjaOne is a software management and remote monitoring platform. It supports patching for Windows, macOS, Linux, servers, virtual machines and networking devices. It works on and off the network, automating patch processes. Admins can approve, schedule, and customize patch deployments with real-time visibility and reporting.

Subscription fees are monthly per device, customizable upon inquiry.

SolarWinds Patch Manager

SolarWinds patch manager automates patch management for application software. It extends Microsoft WSUS and Endpoint Manager, automating patching with prebuilt update packages. Admins have precise control and can target systems by criteria, schedule, and define pre-/post-patch actions. It offers a centralized web interface for custom reports.

Licensing options depend on managed endpoints, with both subscription and perpetual choices available, starting at $2,187/yr. and $4,357, respectively.

Bottom line: Automated patch management

Effective patch management is a crucial element of contemporary cybersecurity. It allows organizations to rapidly address known software vulnerabilities with a minimum of investment and downtime. Automatic patching, in particular, plays a vital role in streamlining this process as it limits the need for manual input in the patch management process, which, by extension, reduces the chances of human error.

Though setting up an automated patch management solution can seem daunting, the steps in this guide will help you get started — and the effort will pay dividends down the line.

For more tips on automating patch management at your organization, see our guide to the best patch management solutions and how to select between them.

The post How to Implement Automated Patch Management in 5 Steps appeared first on Enterprise Networking Planet.

Software vendors develop and distribute patches to address a variety of issues in their software. These issues can range from minor bugs that affect the software’s functionality to major security vulnerabilities. Attackers could exploit these vulnerabilities, posing a significant risk. In applying these patches, your organization actively enhances your protection against such vulnerabilities, reducing the risk of a cyberattack.

Patch management serves as a proactive defense mechanism against known vulnerabilities. It empowers organizations to reduce the risk of security breaches, data theft, and system compromise.

Patch management process explained

While patch management varies from business to business, the general process consists of inventory and assessment, patch identification, risk prioritization, testing, deployment, monitoring and validation, documentation and reporting, and lifecycle management.

1. Inventory and assessment

The first step in the patch management process involves creating an inventory of all the software, hardware, and systems within your organization to clearly understand what you need to patch and secure. Simultaneously, you must assess these systems for vulnerabilities by conducting regular scans using automated tools or services. This initial step sets the foundation for effective patch management.

2. Patch identification

The next step is to identify the specific patches necessary to address the discovered vulnerabilities. This may entail closely monitoring sources like security mailing lists, vendor websites, and other reliable channels to stay informed about available patches. Your goal is to gather the updated patches from vendors, open-source communities, or patch-management-as-a-service providers.

3. Risk prioritization

Vulnerabilities don’t all carry the same level of significance, and some may pose a more substantial threat to your organization than others. In this step, prioritize the patches based on the severity of the vulnerabilities. It ensures addressing the most serious issues promptly, reducing the risk of exploitation by potential attackers.

4. Testing

Before deploying patches to your production environment, make sure you test them thoroughly. Establish a controlled, non-production environment, often referred to as a sandbox or test server, where you can apply the patches to determine if they cause any issues or conflicts with existing software or configurations. Successful testing helps mitigate the risk of disrupting your live systems.

5. Deployment

After thoroughly testing and validating patches in the controlled environment, it’s time to deploy them to your production systems. Manual deployment is possible for smaller environments, but automated patch management tools are often more ideal for larger, more complex systems for efficient and uniform distribution.

6. Monitoring and validation

Continuous monitoring is a vital step in successful patch application. Following deployment, monitor your systems for any irregularities, performance issues, or unintended consequences that may arise as a result of patching. Validation helps confirm that your systems remain secure and stable.

7. Documentation and reporting

Maintain accurate and comprehensive records of all patch management activities, including specific patches applied, when they were applied, and any issues encountered during the process. Generate compliance reports to track progress and alignment with industry regulations and internal policies.

8. Lifecycle management

The patch management process is not a one-time event but an ongoing, evolving effort. Regularly review and update your patch management process as new vulnerabilities and patches become available. This step also involves retiring unsupported software and replacing it with more secure alternatives. Educating your employees and users about the importance of promptly installing updates to maintain a secure and resilient IT environment is also part of lifecycle management.

Patch management security benefits

Patch management comes with many benefits, including reduced attack surface, malware spread prevention, automated security fixes, vulnerability mitigation, enhanced cyberattack resistance, data protection and network security, business continuity, and regulatory compliance.

1. Reduced attack surface

Patch management helps diminish the number of potential entry points or attack surfaces that a hacker could exploit. By regularly updating and patching software, you can fix known vulnerabilities, making it harder for hackers to gain unauthorized access. This applies to both proprietary and open source patch management solutions.

2. Malware spread prevention

Many types of malware take advantage of software vulnerabilities to infect systems and spread across networks. Regular patching can fix these vulnerabilities, making it much harder for malware to take hold and propagate.

3. Automated security fixes

Manual patching can be time-consuming and error-prone. Automated patch management reaffirms consistent and prompt patch application, decreasing the risk of human error. It implements security fixes as soon as they’re available, keeping systems secure.

4. Vulnerability mitigation

By applying patches as soon as possible, you close security gaps that could be vulnerable to attackers. Without this proactive approach from patch management, these vulnerabilities remain open doors for potential cyberattacks.

5. Improved resistance to cyberattacks

Timely patching makes it more challenging for cybercriminals to infiltrate your systems. By eliminating known vulnerabilities, you minimize the attack surface, making it harder for malicious actors to breach security protocols.

6. Data protection and network security

Securing a network and protecting sensitive data are fundamentally dependent on patch management. Without an effective patch management process, the likelihood of data breaches increases, which could lead to costly legal and reputational consequences.

7. Business continuity

Everything from bugs and errors to security breaches and cyberattacks can disrupt business operations, resulting in downtime and financial losses. Patch management helps maintain business continuity by making sure that your systems remain functional, available, and reliable, even when facing security threats.

8. Regulatory compliance

Many industries and regulatory bodies impose requirements on organizations to maintain compliant and secure networks. Patch management ensures adherence to these regulations. Non-compliance can lead to penalties and legal consequences.

7 patch management challenges for security teams

Security teams face some challenges in patch management, like patch prioritization, diverse systems and applications, legacy systems, user education and compliance, patch rollbacks, ongoing monitoring, and remote work.

1. Patch prioritization

With the rapid increase in IT vulnerabilities, security teams must decide which patches to apply first. This decision mostly depends on the severity of the vulnerability, the cruciality of the system, and the potential impact of the patch.

Accurately assessing these factors, fully understanding what patch management is, and making informed decisions requires expertise and resources. Furthermore, teams must balance the urgency of patching with the need to maintain system stability and avoid disruptions.

2. Diverse systems and applications

Organizations typically use a wide range of operating systems and third-party applications, complicating the process of managing and implementing patches, especially when it comes to Linux patch management.

Linux systems have distinct requirements and processes for patch management, which can be different from other operating systems like Windows or macOS. Ensuring that all systems receive the required patches is important for comprehensive security.

3. Legacy systems

Legacy systems frequently operate on outdated software, which heightens the risk of cyberattacks. These systems may also host major business applications, making updates or replacements costly and sometimes nearly impossible. The lack of vendor support for these systems means new patches may not be available.

In addition, organizations might not even be aware of the presence of these systems, complicating their management and patching processes.

4. User education and compliance

Educating users about the seriousness of timely patch installation is paramount, but often difficult due to a lack of understanding or awareness about cybersecurity risks. Users may also neglect or delay installing patches, which can leave systems vulnerable.

On the compliance side, verifying that all users adhere to patch management policies is a daunting task, especially in large organizations or those with remote or non-technical employees. Consistent communication and training are usually necessary.

5. Patch rollbacks

Sometimes, a newly applied patch may cause system instability or conflicts with other software. In such cases, security teams need to roll back or reverse the patch, which can be a complex process.

This requires having robust backups and procedures in place for reversing patches and upgrades. Moreover, the need to make sure that the rollback doesn’t affect system functionality or user experience adds to the complexity.

6. Ongoing monitoring

After assessing risks, testing, and performing vulnerability patching, continuous monitoring is necessary. You need visibility into any unpatched devices and ongoing protection from a vulnerable device. The steady influx of new patches and the need to keep an eye on a variety of devices and applications make this a challenging task.

7. Remote work

The increase in remote work means that many systems only connect to a domain occasionally. It can be difficult to check if the devices brought by employees or contractors receive patches before they access the organization’s resources.

How to implement patch management in 7 steps

Implementing patch management involves setting up inventory, creating a patch management policy, setting up testing environment, developing a deployment strategy, user education and training, compliance and auditing, and optimization.

1. Set up inventory and infrastructure

First and foremost, your organization needs to create a comprehensive inventory of all software and systems in use. This includes desktops, servers, applications, and any other devices or platforms. You must also establish the required infrastructure to support your patch management efforts. This might involve acquiring the necessary hardware, software tools, and resources for effective patch management.

2. Create a patch management policy

A well-defined patch management policy is a prerequisite for clear guidelines and governance. Your organization should develop a detailed policy that outlines what patch management is in cybersecurity and how you will execute patch management.

This policy typically includes procedures for patch testing, deployment, and rollback. It should also define roles and responsibilities within your organization, specifying who is responsible for different aspects of the patch management process.

This way, everyone involved understands their roles and responsibilities, contributing to a more organized and efficient patch management process.

3. Testing environment setup

Creating a controlled testing environment or sandbox is indispensable for safely testing patches before deployment to production systems. This environment should mirror your production setup as closely as possible. It allows your team to assess how patches may affect your actual systems without risking disruptions or unexpected issues.

4. Build deployment strategy

A clear deployment strategy, clearly aligned with patch management best practices, defines the application of patches to production systems. Consider factors such as the organization’s size and complexity and the criticality of patches when determining your deployment strategy.

It’s also imperative to select the best patch management software for your organization to facilitate smooth and secure patch distribution.

5. User education and training

Educating end users and employees about the patch management process and its significance is another key component of successful implementation. Clear communication and training programs should be set to inform users about the significance of prompt updates and compliance with patch management policies.

6. Compliance and auditing

Careful examination of applicable regulations and the development of strategies to meet compliance criteria is a mandatory step. By preparing for audits and assessments, your organization can demonstrate its commitment to adhering to industry standards, potentially reducing the risk of penalties for non-compliance.

7. Optimization

Ongoing enhancement is the key to the long-term success of patch management. Evaluate the process and identify areas for improvement after each patch cycle. Fine-tuning your process could entail optimizing procedures and streamlining workflows. This guarantees that your organization’s patch management practices remain functional and evolve with changing security requirements and technologies.

Patch management vs. vulnerability management

While patch management and vulnerability management both pertain to computer or network security, they serve distinct purposes. Below is a comparison chart with an overview of how they differ in focus, objective, responsibilities, lifecycle, user involvement, compliance, dependency, frequency, and scope:

Top 3 patch management software

There are many reputable patch management software providers with advanced capabilities and integrated functionalities that can help your organization streamline the patching process. Here are some of the best patch management software solutions in 2023:

Automox

Automox is a well-regarded IT automation platform that excels in patch management, securing, and updating Windows, macOS, and Linux endpoints. It stands out for its ability to automate the process of scanning and cataloging devices within a unified platform.

This solution is user-friendly with a quick start-up time. It also supports multiple platforms, simplifying patching and software deployment tasks. As a cloud-based solution, it enforces OS and third-party patches along with security configurations globally.

However, Automox has some areas for improvement, including issues with time syncing between the server reports and the Automox console. Furthermore, the software doesn’t always always follow patching schedules.

ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus

ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus automatically deploys patches for Windows, macOS, and Linux endpoints and over 950 third-party applications. The software scans endpoints to find missing patches, tests them before deployment, automates deployment, and comes with in-depth auditing features for better visibility and control.

One of the key strengths of ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus is its scalability. It also has a remote push feature that manages multiple main and subsites. It covers nearly all end devices, simplifying monitoring the hardware status of devices.

However, there are some areas where it could improve. It offers limited customization options and has a complex agent deployment process.

Atera

Atera is an all-in-one IT management platform that delivers a wide range of features, including patch management. It provides IT professionals with access, visibility, and control over their networks and devices from anywhere.

This patch management solution brings real-time monitoring and automated patch management. It also displays information in a visual chart format for both servers and desktops, showing agents that are up-to-date and those that are not, as well as the number of missing patches in each agent.

Strengths of Atera include its one-stop-shop feature set, remote access, and intuitive ticketing management. It also integrates with third-party apps like Ninite Pro, IT Glue, and QuickBooks Online to expand its support features.

But just like other patch management software, Atera has some weaknesses, like having compatibility issues with some versions of Windows and Linux. It also gives limited control over the patching process.

Bottom line: Patch management explained

Patch management can be a complex and time-consuming process, but it can help keep your organization’s IT infrastructure secure. It is not just about closing security gaps; it’s about maintaining a strong overall defense against evolving cyberthreats.

Patch management comes with some challenges that security teams need to address too, like patch prioritization, diverse systems and applications, legacy systems, and remote work. To overcome these, you must develop a solid patch management strategy that includes everything from clear prioritization and diverse system support, to isolating legacy systems and adapting to remote work needs.

Fortunately, there are a number of patch management tools and resources you can use to aid with effective patch management, including automated patch management systems and network vulnerability scanning tools.

Patch management is not just a one-time task; it’s an ongoing commitment to reducing risks and proactively addressing security threats.

Selecting a reliable patch management software solution is as important as understanding the patch management process. Browse our analysis of the best patch management software solutions to learn more.

The post What Is Patch Management? Everything You Need to Know appeared first on Enterprise Networking Planet.

To effectively set up a LAN, you should be aware of your devices, networking hardware, and network connectivity options. You should also plan your approach beforehand and make sure that your network is healthy and secure — before and after it’s set up.

Whether an IT manager, network administrator, or tech decision-maker in a large or small organization, this guide will guide you to a successful LAN setup.

Requirements for setting up a LAN

Before initiating the configuration steps, it’s important to know exactly what you’re configuring. A LAN is a network of interconnected digital devices in a limited geographical area such as an office building or campus for communication and exchange of resources like files and applications.

Understanding the basic requirements for setting up a local area network ensures that your LAN is not only functional but also secure and efficient. The must-haves are networking devices, nodes, cables, and connectivity:

• Devices: These could be desktops, laptops, or other computing devices that will be part of the network.
• Networking hardware: A router and a switch are fundamental. The router connects your LAN to the internet, while the switch connects various devices within the LAN.
• Cables: Ethernet cables are needed for wired connections. Make sure to have enough for each device you plan to connect.
• External storage and printers: These are optional, if your enterprise requires shared resources.
• Wired LAN: Ethernet cables connect devices to the switch and router. This option is generally more secure.
• Wireless LAN: Wi-Fi can be used for a more flexible setup but may require additional security measures.

8 steps to LAN setup and configuration

Here’s a quick walkthrough of how to set up and configure your LAN in eight simple steps.

1. Identify network services and resources

Start by listing all the services and resources that will be shared across the network. This could include file servers, printers, and internet access.

Knowing what needs to be shared helps in selecting the right hardware and software, ensuring that all networking needs are met. You can use a spreadsheet to organize these resources, noting their locations and access requirements.

2. Select and prepare networking devices

Choosing the right switch and router is crucial. Make sure these devices have enough ports for all your workstations and other hardware. Update the firmware to the latest versions to ensure you’re getting the best performance and security features.

3. Plan your network architecture

Before you start connecting cables, you can either use network design software such as Cisco Packet Tracer (Figure A) or pen and paper to sketch out a network diagram. This will serve as your blueprint for device placement, cable lengths, and types. A well-planned architecture minimizes potential issues and simplifies troubleshooting down the line.

4. Configure IP addressing

IP addressing is a critical aspect of network setup. Decide whether to use static or dynamic IP addresses. Static IPs are often used for servers and network devices, while dynamic IPs can be assigned to workstations through DHCP.

For static IPs, you’ll need to manually enter IP addresses for each device. This is often done through each device’s settings menu. It’s also possible to enable DHCP for dynamic IPs on your router via its admin panel to automatically assign IPs to connected devices.

5. Cable and connect devices

Based on your network diagram, start connecting devices using the appropriate cables. Remember to keep the process neat. Make sure to use quality cables and connectors to minimize signal loss and potential issues. Test each connection as you go along to ensure it’s secure and functional.

6. Initial testing

Once all devices are connected, perform an initial round of tests. Check if all devices can communicate with each other, access the internet, and use shared resources. Resolve any issues before moving to the next step.

7. Monitor and manage

While you could stop after Step 6, it will serve you better in the long run to ensure that your LAN is not just up and running, but that it stays that way. This is done by keeping an eye on your network’s performance after confirming that it’s functional.

Use network monitoring and management tools like Wireshark and SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor to monitor traffic, bandwidth usage, and any unauthorized access attempts.

8. Document your network

Documentation is often overlooked, but is crucial for effective network management. Keep a record of all configurations, IP addresses, and device placements. This documentation will be invaluable for troubleshooting and future network expansions.

This recording can be done by creating a digital network documentation file. Use a secure, accessible location to store this file. Include all device configurations, IP addresses, and a digital copy of your network diagram. And make it a practice to update this file whenever there are changes to the network configuration.

7 LAN configuration best practices

After setting up your enterprise LAN, your work has just begun: you still need to maintain a secure, efficient, and reliable network. For this to happen, there are a number of best practices to consider:

1. Regularly update firmware and software

Manufacturers regularly release updates that patch security vulnerabilities and improve performance. Schedule regular checks for firmware updates for your router, switch, and other network devices. Use the admin panel to apply these updates, often found under a “system” or “maintenance” label, or invest in a patch management software solution to help you automate the process.

2. Segment your network

For improved security, consider using Virtual LANs (VLANs) to segment your network based on department or function. This helps you isolate sensitive data while enhancing performance. You can configure VLAN settings through your switch’s management interface.

3. Use strong authentication methods

Implement authentication methods like WPA3 for Wi-Fi and 802.1X for wired connections. These methods require a combination of usernames, passwords, and sometimes even hardware tokens for network access, which will frustrate unauthorized users when they try to gain entry.

4. Backup network configurations

Regularly back up the configurations of all your network devices. This will be invaluable for quick recovery in case of device failure or other issues.

5. Mind the cable length

In the case of Ethernet cables, ensure that you use just the right length. Your cable should in no way exceed 100 meters as Ethernet cables experience signal degradation at the 100-meter mark, which may result in greater latency, packet loss, and lower throughput.

6. Practice cable management

The physical routing of cables is an often overlooked aspect of network setup, but it’s crucial for both safety and performance. For instance, unless your cables are fire-rated, you shouldn’t lay them in air ducts as they could become a fire hazard. Instead, use cable organizers, raceways, and conduits to maintain neat and protected cables.

You can also label cables to make them easier to identify, especially as cables build up in your environment, using simple tags. Finally, consider that at some point you may need to replace or upgrade cables, so you should set them up in a way that allows you to make changes painlessly.

7. Conduct regular security audits

Schedule regular network security audits to identify vulnerabilities through auditing tools like Nessus or OpenVAS for automated scanning. Use the reports to take corrective actions for any identified vulnerabilities.

Regularly and consistently maintaining these best practices will go a long way in helping your LAN to remain secure, efficient, and optimized.

Bottom line: Setting up your local area network

Setting up local area networks goes beyond ensuring there’s connectivity across your devices. It’s also about planning to get the most out of your networks and hardware.

A reliable and secure LAN needs careful planning prior to setup and deliberate maintenance after it’s already up and running. With these steps and best practices, you have the groundwork you need to set up your LAN and keep it operational for the long haul.

Investing in one of the best network management tools and network monitoring tools will help you keep an eye on your LAN’s performance, health, and security — and get ahead of any problems quickly.

The post How to Set Up and Configure a LAN in 8 Steps appeared first on Enterprise Networking Planet.

LANs can vary significantly in size, ranging from small networks connecting only a few devices to large networks linking hundreds or even thousands of devices. One of the advantages of LANs is that the size of a LAN does not affect its fundamental functionality, as all LANs provide the capability for resource sharing and interpersonal communication.

Today, LANs play a crucial role in streamlining connectivity, information exchange, and resource accessibility. Here’s how they work, their benefits and challenges, how they compare to other network types, and other FAQs.

How do LANs work?

LANs function through central points called routers to connect to the Internet. Home LANs generally use a single router, while larger LANs may employ network switches for smooth packet delivery.

Aside from establishing connections between LANs and allowing devices on different networks to communicate seamlessly, routers also strengthen network security by filtering and blocking unwanted network traffic.

LANs typically utilize Ethernet, Wi-Fi, or a combination of both to connect devices within the network. Ethernet uses physical cables for connections, while Wi-Fi operates through radio waves. The latter has gained popularity in residential and corporate settings due to its convenience.

Various devices, including servers, desktops, laptops, printers, internet of things (IoT) devices, and game consoles, can establish connections to LANs. These connections permit shared access to resources like printers or servers, a feature particularly useful in office environments.

2 types of LANs

There are two main types of LANs: client-server LANs and peer-to-peer LANs.

Client/server LANs

Client/server LANs link multiple devices, known as clients, to a central server. This server manages file storage, application access, device access, and network traffic.

In this configuration, the server governs the network traffic and resources. It provides shared access to files, printers, and the internet. A variety of network-enabled devices, such as desktop PCs, tablets, and smartphones, can serve as clients in this network.

Client/server LANs give significant network control, making them particularly suitable for larger networks. However, establishing and maintaining these LANs can pose more challenges. The server is a key dependency — its failure could trigger a network-wide failure.

When to use client/server LANs

Client/server LANs are ideal for business environments, large organizations, database management, security and access control, and centralized backup.

• Business environments: Client/server LANs are commonly used in business, corporate, and enterprise settings where data security, centralized management, and scalability are essential.
• Large organizations: They can be valuable to organizations with a substantial number of users and data that need effective management, as they offer an organized and safe way to store, share, and manage resources.
• Database management: A client/server architecture is the preferred choice for handling large databases that need high performance and concurrent access.
• Security and access control: This architecture promotes systematized security management for organizations where tight security controls and user access permissions are important, like financial institutions or government agencies.
• Centralized backup: Organizations that need to maintain consolidated backups of confidential data, such as healthcare and financial institutions, can benefit from the unified control offered by this architecture.

Peer-to-peer (P2P) LANs

Peer-to-peer (P2P) LANs don’t have a central server and cannot handle heavy workloads like a client/server LAN can, and so they’re typically smaller. For this LAN type, each device shares resources and data equally through wired or wireless connections to a switch or router.

Every device in P2P LANs can act as both a client and a server, making it simpler to set up for small-scale networks, like home environments or small offices. This simplicity also means this architecture does not require any special network software. In addition, P2P LANs are more reliable in the sense that they do not rely on a central server — if one computer fails, it does not cause a failure of the entire network.

The drawback of P2P LANs is that they lack centralized control and advanced security features compared to client/server architectures.

When to use P2P LANs

P2P LANs are frequently used where minimal infrastructure is acceptable, e.g., home networks, small offices, temporary or ad-hoc networks, learning environments, and file sharing:

• Home networks: Used in homes where a few devices need to share printers and files or other resources, and complex network management is not necessary.
• Small offices: Small businesses with limited networking needs and a handful of devices can benefit from the ease of setup and cost-effectiveness of a P2P LAN.
• Temporary or ad-hoc networks: In situations requiring a quick network setup for a short duration, like a meeting or event.
• Learning environments: P2P LANs are fitting for educational settings where students need to collaborate and share resources without the complexity of a larger network.
• File sharing: For peer-to-peer file sharing among friends or colleagues in informal settings.

8 benefits of a LAN

LAN brings several benefits to your business, including resource sharing; remote collaboration; cost-efficiency; high-speed data transfer; better security, flexibility, and scalability; centralized control; and backup and disaster recovery.

1. Simplified management: Since LANs facilitate resource sharing among multiple devices, it reduces the need for duplicate hardware. As a result, organizations can increase efficacy and simplify management.
2. Remote collaboration: With internet access, LAN users can collaborate remotely, shop online, consume media from the cloud, and exchange data from wearable devices. This opens up a wide range of possibilities for work and leisure activities.
3. Cost-efficiency: By sharing resources and centralizing data management on a LAN, considerable cost savings are achievable through reduced redundancy in hardware and optimized IT expenses. Furthermore, LANs utilize cost-effective transmission media, such as Ethernet cables or Wi-Fi signals, making setting up and maintaining them relatively affordable.
4. High-speed data transfer: LANs offer fast data transfer speeds, enabling quick access to shared resources and effortless communication between devices. They can often transmit data anywhere from 100 Mbps to 10 Gbps.
5. Better security: LANs usually have specialized measures to secure networks against unauthorized data access. These can include firewalls, encryption, and user authentication systems. Moreover, you may configure LANs by adding security features like access controls to ensure controlled and safe access to data and resources. 
6. Flexibility and scalability: Adaptability to the changing needs of an organization is another remarkable benefit of LANs. You can add more devices and resources as the network expands without causing significant disruption. 
7. Centralized control: Because servers centrally store and manage everything in LANs, network administrators can exercise centralized control over user accounts, permissions, and software installations. This also bolsters network security and improves management.
8. Backup and disaster recovery: LANs allow the creation and storage of regular backups remotely, safeguarding data against loss or corruption. In case of an IT disaster, a well-planned recovery process can restore the environment with minimal data loss and downtime, ensuring business continuity.

7 challenges of using LAN

Using LAN comes with several challenges, including security concerns, network traffic management, scalability, costs, interoperability, mobility and remote access, and technical complexity.

1. Security concerns: LANs require robust security measures to fend off unauthorized access, data breaches, and cyberthreats. Implementing access controls, encryption, firewalls, and regular security updates is critical to guaranteeing data confidentiality and integrity.
2. Network traffic management: Effective traffic management assists in preventing network congestion and bottlenecks, especially as the number of connected devices and services grows. Network monitoring, quality of service (QoS) configurations, and load balancing are key tools for maintaining optimal network performance.
3. Scalability: As your organization expands, accommodating more devices and users while maintaining performance can be challenging. Even in a naturally scalable model such as a client/server LAN, achieving scalability involves careful network design, hardware upgrades, and effective management to support the increased load.
4. Costs: Managing LAN-related costs calls for budgeting for network infrastructure, maintenance, security measures, and upgrades. Prudent financial planning is needed to keep the LAN running effectively within budget constraints.
5. Interoperability: Ensuring the smooth operation of diverse devices, operating systems, and networks is a serious challenge of using LAN. Standardization, compatibility testing, and effective integration are necessary to prevent compatibility issues.
6. Mobility and remote access: With the rising demand for remote work and mobile device usage, safeguarding access to LAN resources for remote employees is of utmost importance. Deploying robust authentication, VPNs, and mobile device management (MDM) solutions helps address this challenge.
7. Technical complexity: The installation, management, operation, and security of a LAN are complex processes that need specialized technical knowledge. Having a team with strong technical skills is a must to successfully navigate these complexities. Otherwise, organizations may face difficulties in maximizing the benefits of their LAN or troubleshooting issues that arise.

Example use cases of LANs

The following are examples of use cases illustrating what a local area network is and showcasing their importance in various settings, from offices and homes to schools and healthcare facilities.

Business offices

In a corporate office, LANs connect employee workstations, printers, and servers. This allows employees to collaborate on documents, access centralized databases for customer information, and print documents to a shared printer. LANs streamline workplace productivity and information flow.

Homes

In a typical home, a LAN connects family members’ computers, smartphones, smart TVs, and gaming consoles. This lets them stream movies, share photos and files, and access the internet via a single connection. Home LANs make it convenient for everyone to connect and share resources.

Schools and educational institutions

In a school setting, LANs connect computer labs and classrooms. Teachers use LANs to access digital teaching resources and share lesson materials with students. Students can also collaborate on group projects using LAN-connected devices, promoting interactive and engaged learning.

Small businesses

A small retail store can utilize a LAN for its point-of-sale (POS) systems. The central server connects to the cash registers, records sales transactions, manages inventory in real-time, and securely stores customer data. By optimizing operations and refining customer service, LANs boost the efficiency of small businesses.

Large enterprises

In multinational corporations, LANs link numerous devices dispersed across diverse global offices. Through LANs, employees tap into centralized databases for cooperative projects, share confidential company data securely, and interact effortlessly via email and messaging systems. By supporting effective data exchange and teamwork, enterprise LANs greatly elevate organizational performance.

Hospitals and healthcare facilities

In a hospital, LANs connect medical devices like patient monitors and electronic health record (EHR) systems. Doctors and nurses safely access confidential patient data, and medical devices transmit real-time patient information to EHRs for immediate monitoring and decision-making. Healthcare LANs improve patient care and simplify medical data management.

LAN vs. WAN vs. MAN

The comparison chart below shows an overview of the key differences between LAN, wide area network (WAN), and metropolitan area network (MAN). It gives a glimpse of the geographic scope, technologies used, ownership, coverage, and examples for each.

How secure are LANs?

The security of LANs is a complex issue that hinges on several factors, namely access control, firewalls, encryption, antivirus, regular updates, intrusion detection systems, physical security, and user education.

LAN security is an ongoing process that demands different technical measures, vigilant management, and user awareness to effectively shield against potential threats. LANs face several security risks, including unauthorized access, malware, data theft, phishing, physical security breaches, and denial-of-service (DoS) attacks.

At the heart of LAN security are access control measures, which ensure that only authorized users can enter the network, mostly through robust password policies and specific access permissions. Packet-filtering firewalls also play an indispensable role by controlling network traffic and protecting against cyberattacks.

Furthermore, using encryption techniques safeguards data transmission and maintains confidentiality. Antivirus software and regular updates are also imperative in defending against malware while intrusion detection systems keep an eye on and respond to any suspicious activities. Additionally, implementing physical security measures, like restricting access to network equipment, holds significant importance.

Finally, an intrinsic part of LAN security is educating users to follow security best practices.

Bottom line: LAN remains a critical component of corporate networking

LAN has developed dramatically since its beginnings thanks to improvements in security and manageability, and of course the advent of wireless connectivity. Throughout these changes, it has remained a critical aspect of many organizations’ network infrastructure.

While a client-server model is typically the trusted approach for larger enterprises, homes and small offices may benefit more from a P2P approach. On the other hand, if your network has to cover a large campus or across borders, you may want to consider a MAN or WAN, respectively, instead — or a combination. Whatever you choose to go with, make sure you plan your implementation accordingly — including long-term monitoring, management, and security.

If you’re ready to take the next step in setting up a LAN at your organization, we analyzed the top enterprise LAN providers to help you choose the best option for you.

The post What Is a Local Area Network (LAN)? Definition, Benefits & Types appeared first on Enterprise Networking Planet.

Effective patch management ensures that operating systems and software receive regular updates containing security patches and bug fixes, reducing the risk of cyberattacks and vulnerabilities. Patch management software solutions also promote compliance with mandates like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), and the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI-DSS).

Investing in patch management software is a cost-effective way to protect your company’s assets, maintain productivity, and safeguard its reputation.

Here are our top picks for the best patch management software for 2023:

• Automox: Best overall patch management solution. (Read more)
• ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus: Best for comprehensive patch management. (Read more)
• SolarWinds Patch Manager: Best for large networks and virtual environments. (Read more)
• Acronis: Best for integrated cyberthreat protection and patch management. (Read more)
• Avast Business Patch Management: Best for Windows-centric environments. (Read more)
• NinjaOne Patch Management: Best for open-source and cloud-based patch management. (Read more)
• Atera: Best for managed service providers (MSPs). (Read more)
• Kaseya: Best for patching on- and off-network devices across multiple operating systems. (Read more)

Top patch management software comparison

The comparison table below presents the best patch management software solutions for 2023. It gives a summary of their patch deployment efficiency, supported platforms, core features, and third-party integrations:

Automox

Best overall patch management solution

Overall rating: 4/5

• Cost: 3.25/5
• Core features: 4.75/5
• Customer support: 3/5
• Integrations: 4.5/5
• Ease of use: 5/5

Automox is a cloud-based IT operations platform that provides a comprehensive suite of services, including patch management. This feature is not sold separately but is integrated into the overall platform. Automox’s patch management fully automates the process of updating endpoints across various operating systems, such as Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Furthermore, this patch management software solution supports third-party patching for many tools and platforms, like Adobe, Java, Firefox, and Chrome. It also facilitates cloud-based deployment and management, enabling device updates from any location and eliminating the need for VPNs or servers for patching.

Pros and cons

Pricing

While Automox displays limited pricing information on their website about their monthly and annual contracts, they offer some details on their pricing plans:

• Basic: Includes multi-OS patching, patch automation, single sign-on, and standard support.
• Standard: Includes everything in Basic, plus advanced automation features, software management, device configuration, API access, and third-party software patching.
• Pro (Formerly Complete): Includes everything in Standard, with multi-zone management, automated vulnerability remediation, and remote control.

The vendor also has a per-device pricing model starting at $2 per month per device. If you want to know more, visit their pricing page.

Features

• Accessible cloud-native architecture.
• Supports patch management across multiple operating systems, including Windows, Mac, and Linux.
• Facilitates third-party patch management.
• Worklets feature empowers IT professionals to create, automate, and enforce any custom task on endpoints irrespective of location or domain membership.
• Uses generative AI to automate IT operations.
• Enables setting individual permissions for specific users and groups.
• Extensive reporting capabilities.
• Automatically patches endpoints every time a device is connected to the Internet.

ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus

Best for comprehensive patch management

Overall rating: 4/5

• Cost: 5/5
• Core features: 3.25/5
• Customer support: 3.75/5
• Integrations: 4.75/5
• Ease of use: 3.75/5

ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus simplifies patch detection, testing, and deployment on multiple operating systems and third-party applications by allowing you to devise and supervise all the facets of patch management from a centralized console.

This software ensures complete patch compliance across your network by automating all the stages of patch management. It gives organizations flexible patch deployment policies, the ability to decline unwanted or problematic patches, and granular insightful reporting.

Patch Manager Plus offers automated patch deployment for Windows, macOS, and Linux endpoints, with patching support for over 950 third-party updates across more than 850 third-party applications. It’s available both on-premises and in the cloud.

Pros and cons

Pricing

ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus has different pricing depending on the type of deployment:

• Cloud deployment

Monthly subscription: Starts at $34.50 per month.

Annual subscription: Starts at $345 per year.

• On-premises deployment

Annual license: Starts at $245 per year.

Perpetual license: Starts at $735.

The pricing varies based on the number of computers and servers, as well as the plan (Professional or Enterprise) that you choose. Get in touch with their sales team to know more.

Features

• Performs automated patch management.
• Offers cross-platform support.
• Supports third-party application patching.
• Delivers flexible deployment policies.
• Users can test and approve patches.
• Admins can decline patches and/or applications.
• Ensures patch compliance.
• Generates insightful reports.
• Enables remote patch management for a work-from-home setup.

SolarWinds Patch Manager

Best for large networks and virtual environments

Overall rating: 3.5/5

• Cost: 4.5/5
• Core features: 3.75/5
• Customer support: 4/5
• Integrations: 2.5/5
• Ease of use: 2.5/5

SolarWinds Patch Manager is an automated patch management software specializing in large networks and virtual environments. With prebuilt and pretested packages, Patch Manager delivers a vetted and reliable solution for scalable automated patch management.

Patch Manager uses Microsoft WSUS as a building block for more sophisticated automation of patch management operations. It also allows admins to generate automated alerts and patch reports on a customized schedule.

Moreover, to ensure software scan security, this patch management solution can also deploy Wake on LAN to reactivate sleeping devices when a scan is scheduled and to turn them back off once the scan is complete.

Patch Manager can augment the conventional capabilities of WSUS and SCCM to make patch management more scalable. It supports monitoring of patches for virtual machines, applications, and software like Adobe and Java alongside Windows-based software patches traditionally managed by SCCM. It also aids companies in mitigating software vulnerabilities with real-time security monitoring and detailed security compliance reports.

Pros and cons

Pricing

Solarwinds has two licensing options for Patch Manager:

• Subscription licensing: Starts at $2,187.
• Perpetual licensing: Starts at $4,357.

Contact their sales team for additional pricing information.

Features

• Performs Microsoft and third-party patch management.
• Comes with remote software deployment tools.
• Conducts application, security, and remote patch management.
• Supports virtual patching for endpoint security.
• Delivers compliance reports.
• Prevents failed Oracle Java updates.
• WSUS alternative.
• SCCM alternative.
• Extends SCCM software inventory management.
• Improve hardware update management.

Acronis

Best for integrated cyberthreat protection and patch management

Overall rating: 3.5/5

• Cost: 2.25/5
• Core features: 4.25/5
• Customer support: 4.5/5
• Integrations: 4.25/5
• Ease of use: 2.5/5

Acronis Patch Management is an integral part of Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud, a complete solution that combines anti-malware protection, data backup, and endpoint protection management. It is a special offering that brings proactive protection against the latest cyberthreats by automating the patch management process.

Acronis Patch Management identifies systems and applications that are at risk from known threats and works to plug these security gaps. It is worth noting that Acronis Patch Management is not sold as a standalone product, but is included as part of the broader Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud suite. This integrated approach eliminates protection gaps and enables seamless remediation, reducing the need to juggle multiple solutions.

Pros and cons

Pricing

Acronis Patch management is included in the Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud, which is available in two pricing models:

• Per-workload: Based on the total number of workloads (physical servers, workstations, virtual machines) and the native cloud storage used.
• Per-GB: Based on the total cloud and local storage used.

Aside from this information, Acronis does not publish actual pricing on its site and encourages getting in touch with its sales department.

Features

• Launch immediate updates and patching via customizable options, or manually.
• Supports prioritization of critical assets and schedules the remainder for off-peak times to avoid interruption.
• Registers and tracks exceptions for patches of selected applications.
• Provides an updated inventory of patches with names, new version of applications, common vulnerabilities and exposures (CVEs), patch severity and importance, and affected applications.
• Performs automated scanning.
• Enables severity-based prioritization.
• Offers filtering options.
• Allows exceptions for vulnerabilities.
• Central management.

Avast Business Patch Management

Best for Windows-centric environments

Overall rating: 3.25/5

• Cost: 3.75/5
• Core features: 3.25/5
• Customer support: 4/5
• Integrations: 2.25/5
• Ease of use: 3.75/5

Avast Business Patch Management optimizes the process of keeping your devices updated with the latest features and security patches from over 150 software vendors. It automatically retrieves patches for Windows and third-party applications directly from vendors. It gives you the flexibility to schedule and deploy patches at your preferred times, or manually deploy on-demand to groups and individual devices.

This patch management software comes with an intuitive dashboard that allows users to manage all patches and view summaries of applied, missing, and failed patches. You can configure which software vendors, products, and severity of patches you would like to scan and install. Additionally, you can create exclusions for applications you do not want to patch.

Avast Business Patch Management generates detailed patch scan results, including specific updates, bulletin links, release dates, and descriptions. It brings reports to help determine the health and security of device software and applications. You will also receive notifications about missing patches on your device and patch deployment failures.

Pros and cons

Pricing

Avast Business Patch Management is available on a per-device per-year pricing. Prices start at $16.42 per device per year.

Contact the Avast sales team for more information.

Features

• Automatically retrieves patches for Windows and third-party applications.
• Supports scheduling and deploying patches at set times, as well as manual deployment on-demand to groups and individual devices.
• The dashboard provides a centralized location for managing all patches and viewing summaries of applied, missing, and failed patches.
• Offers customizable patches.
• Allows the establishment of exceptions for applications not requiring patches.
• Gives in-depth information about missing patches.
• Sends patch notifications whenever it detects a new patch missing from a device or has failed to deploy.

NinjaOne Patch Management

Best for open-source and cloud-based patch management

Overall rating: 3.5/5

• Cost: 2.25/5
• Core features: 4.5/5
• Customer support: 2/5
• Integrations: 4.25/5
• Ease of use: 3.75/5

NinjaOne Patch Management automatically creates, tests, and deploys patches across various endpoints. Healthcare, government, education, legal, and finance sectors commonly use this tool to maintain compliance with cybersecurity standards.

This patch management software solution offers network automation, reporting, visibility, and remediation as its main features. It minimizes manual intervention by identifying, downloading, and deploying patches on its own. Moreover, it simplifies reporting by collecting information on a single platform.

NinjaOne Patch Management lets managed service providers (MSPs) and IT departments patch any device from a single console. It also supports open-source patch management and cloud-based patch management.

This software aids in mitigating security risks by identifying and preventing security vulnerabilities, too. It delivers tech support for software issues and fine-tunes software functions.

Pros and cons

Pricing

Aside from the information that NinjaOne Patch Management follows pay-per-device pricing, this vendor doesn’t show other pricing details on their page. Reach out to their sales department to find out more.

Features

• In-depth reporting capabilities.
• Displays complete visibility into the entire IT portfolio.
• Identifies and fixes issues almost instantly to return systems to normal.
• Supports patch management for various operating systems, including Windows, MacOS, and Linux Distros, such as Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, CentOS, and RedHat.
• Facilitates patch roll-backs in case of patching issues.
• Enables patch management for off-VPN or remote devices.
• Clear error reporting and tools to remediate failed patches.
• Actionable patch reporting with CVEs and CVSS (Common Vulnerability Scoring System) data.

Atera

Best for managed service providers (MSPs)

Overall rating: 4/5

• Cost: 3.75/5
• Core features: 5/5
• Customer support: 3/5
• Integrations: 4/5
• Ease of use: 3.75/5

Atera’s Patch Management is a crucial component of the software’s integrated IT management solution designed for IT professionals and MSPs, and allows them to schedule updates for each endpoint. As a result, hardware, software, and operating systems are always up-to-date with the latest security patches, mitigating potential cybersecurity threats and maintaining system integrity.

Atera’s Patch Management also has detailed reports that bring insights into the patch status of all managed systems. This information can be invaluable for uncovering vulnerabilities and verifying that all systems are running the most current and secure versions of their software. 

Atera has designed its Patch Management to integrate seamlessly with its other services, forming a holistic IT management platform, rather than being a standalone product.

Pros and cons

Pricing

Atera Patch management is available in four pricing plans:

• Professional Plan:
  • $149 per month per technician if billed annually, or $169 per month if billed monthly. 
  • For individuals wanting to monitor and manage their corporate networks and Windows devices.
• Expert Plan:
  • $169 per month per technician if billed annually, or $199 per month if billed monthly. 
  • For smaller teams needing to monitor and manage multiple operating systems and networks.
• Master Plan:
  •  $199 per month per technician if billed annually, or $239 per month if billed monthly. 
  • For teams that need faster, more automated troubleshooting and remediation with advanced collaboration capabilities.
• Enterprise Plan:
  • For departments requiring enterprise-grade services and integrations. 
  • Contact Atera’s sales team for the pricing for this plan.

Features

• Next-generation patch management system aims to save time each cycle.
• Users can create schedules for each endpoint for hardware, software, and OS.
• Offers multiple reports on patching posture, which users can utilize to directly install missing patches.
• Users can create software bundles once and deploy them for repeatable tasks, such as onboarding or setting up a new user in a specific department.
• One-click onboarding feature applies changes to newly installed devices at once.
• Enables users to schedule programmed patch management software tasks.
• Users can search for patches based on customer, knowledgebase, description, or agent.
• Always updated with Microsoft patches.
• Automated patching.

Kaseya

Best for patching on- and off-network devices across multiple operating systems

Overall rating: 3.5/5

• Cost: 1.75/5
• Core features: 4.5/5
• Customer support: 5/5
• Integrations: 4.25/5
• Ease of use: 2.5/5

Kaseya’s patch management automates the process of updating all Windows machines with the latest patches and gives you the flexibility to determine how and when to apply updates on each machine. This patch management solution is a feature within the Kaseya VSA Software Management module.

Kaseya VSA delivers a unified patching solution for Mac and Windows operating systems, and deploys hundreds of third-party software titles. It leverages peer-to-peer technology to distribute patches, decreasing the bandwidth needed for downloading and installing them.

Users can remediate software vulnerabilities with this fully-automated, sleep-proof patch management. With 200+ third-party titles within VSA, you can patch all on- and off-network devices including Windows, Mac, and Linux. 

In addition, Kaseya VSA can wake up Windows machines in the middle of the night, install patches, and turn them off again; empowering you to achieve near-perfect patch compliance. VSA’s patch vetting process limits zero-day disruptions and offers easy governance via policy, profiles, and organizations. 

Pros and cons

Pricing

Kaseya doesn’t publish any pricing details on their website. Contact their sales department for pricing information.

Features

• Finds all devices and monitors operating details to know what needs patching.
• Sets up automated patch deployment, controlling patches for deployment, as well as when and how to match specific business needs.
• Automatically selects a day and time for patch deployments to machines/groups/organizations.
• Provides flexibility in managing system reboots after patch deployment.
• Prevents patch installation on the machines during a certain time frame.
• Supports denial of a specific patch or block a specific update to a subset of machines, overriding the default patch classification.

Key features of patch management software

Patch management software is a network security tool with a prominent role in keeping network systems secure and up-to-date. Essential features that a patch management software must have include efficient patch deployment, automated patch detection, cross-platform compatibility, deployment scheduling, and patch prioritization:

Efficient patch deployment

Two key aspects drive efficient patch deployment: a low failure rate and minimal user intervention.

Efficient deployment of patches means that software minimizes the chances of patch installation failures. The patch management software should keep systems secure and operational, cutting down the need for large-scale troubleshooting and remediation.

Furthermore, this feature substantially lightens the load on users and IT administrators. The best patch management software must allow users to carry on with their work without frequent interruptions from manual patching tasks, ultimately boosting productivity and ensuring smooth business operation.

Automated patch detection

Automated patch detection is another vital feature because it lets the software automatically scan a system or network for missing patches and updates, protecting and updating systems without relying on manual checks.

Without automated patch detection, IT staff would need to directly examine and identify missing patches on each system, a time-consuming and error-prone process that leaves room for security gaps.

Cross-platform compatibility

Cross-platform compatibility enables the patch management software to work effectively across a variety of operating systems and environments — a necessary feature because many organizations have mixed IT infrastructures with different operating systems.

Broad cross-compatibility will make sure that the software can scan, download, and deploy patches seamlessly on various platforms. Without this capability, organizations would need different patch management tools for each operating system, which would be inefficient and challenging to manage.

Deployment scheduling

Organizations can apply patches and updates outside of regular working hours and prevent disruptions to daily operations with deployment scheduling features. This capability is particularly valuable for businesses that rely on uninterrupted productivity.

Administrators can use deployment scheduling to set the installation process to occur during non-working hours, like in the evening or on weekends.

Patch prioritization

Patch prioritization lets organizations focus on addressing the most serious vulnerabilities first. This is another critical feature because not all patches are of equal importance, and it’s not feasible to apply them all simultaneously.

By prioritizing patches based on their severity and potential impact, your organization can allocate your resources effectively, promptly mitigating the most damaging risks.

How we evaluated patch management software

We conducted a meticulous evaluation process to find the best patch management software solutions for 2023. Our evaluation was structured around five major categories, including cost, core features, customer support, integrations, and ease of use.

We analyzed each software’s proficiency in meeting the criteria across all categories and assigned scores accordingly. Then, we calculated a cumulative score for each solution.

Cost – 20%

For this category, we considered the availability and duration of free trials, as they offer users a chance to assess the software’s suitability. We also examined the presence of multiple pricing models, enabling organizations to tailor their investments to their specific needs.

Pricing transparency was another factor, as clear and readily available pricing information helps organizations make informed decisions about the financial aspects of each patch management software solution.

• Criteria winner: ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus

Core features – 25%

In the Core Features category, we assessed the fundamental capabilities of patch management software, such as efficient patch deployment, automation, accurate patch identification, and support for third-party patching. We also examined each software’s functionality for patch reporting, patch history, patch testing, vulnerability management, and cross-platform support.

• Criteria winner: Automox

Customer support – 15%

For rating customer support, we focused our evaluation on the availability and quality of different support options. We checked if live chat support was available for real-time assistance and if phone support was accessible 24/7 to all users, regardless of their payment tiers.

We used responsiveness and efficiency as primary criteria for email support. The vibrancy of the user community also mattered to us, as an active community can enhance the overall support experience by offering valuable insights and solutions. We looked into the depth of the documentation and knowledge base to make sure users have access to complete and current resources for addressing common queries and troubleshooting issues on their own.

• Criteria winner: Kaseya

Integrations – 20%

While we understand that some vendors may prioritize their own suite of products over direct third-party integrations, we want to underscore the continued significance of third-party integrations in ensuring the adaptability of patch management software within diverse IT environments. With this in mind, our Integrations evaluation comprised several factors.

First, we assessed whether the software supported third-party integrations across a spectrum of key areas, like operating systems, endpoint management systems, vulnerability assessment tools, asset management software, security information and event management (SIEM) systems, and remote desktop software.

In addition, we considered the software’s ability to integrate with custom scripts and APIs, giving users the flexibility to configure the software to their unique requirements. We also measured the ease of integration, recognizing that a seamless integration process is integral to the overall user experience.

• Criteria winner: ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus

Ease of use – 20%

In this category, our assessment was based on real user feedback from independent sources. We sought to determine the user-friendliness of each patch management software solution, considering users with varying technical expertise.

We analyzed feedback regarding software implementation, installation, use, and administration. This approach sheds light onto the software’s practicality, intuitiveness, user interface, and overall user experience.

• Criteria winner: Automox

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Agent-based patch management vs. agentless patch management

There are two primary approaches to patch management: agent-based and agentless or non-agent-based, and each has its unique characteristics and advantages. The table below highlights the key differences between these approaches:

Note that many vendors, such as ManageEngine and Acronis, provide both agent-based and agentless patch management options, so you can choose the type that best suits your business’s needs.

What are patch management best practices?

Patch management best practices include the following:

• Establishing a patch management policy.
• Automating patch deployment.
• Prioritizing critical vulnerabilities.
• Testing patches thoroughly.
• Creating a rollback plan.
• Regularly monitoring systems.

Bottom line: Choosing the best patch management software for your business can be a game-changer

Patch management is more than a routine IT task; it’s an integral aspect of safeguarding your organization against an ever-expanding array of cyberthreats and network security vulnerabilities. Neglecting it can have severe consequences, from security breaches to operational disruptions. Making the right choice in patch management software can be a game-changer for your business.

Each of the top solutions we’ve covered comes with its unique features and benefits. Take advantage of free trials and demos to find out which software best suits your organization. Keep up with the latest patch management trends. Your decision will directly impact the security, resilience, and productivity of your organization.

With the right patch management software, you’ll not only safeguard your business from potential threats but also create a strong IT infrastructure that fosters growth and innovation.

Take your cybersecurity to the next level by combining the best patch management software with the leading vulnerability management solutions.

The post 8 Best Patch Management Software Solutions for 2023 appeared first on Enterprise Networking Planet.