Operationalizing Patch Intelligence: A Risk-Centric Framework for Enterprise Compliance

Overview

In modern enterprise security, simply knowing “updates are available” is insufficient. Hexnode UEM elevates patch management from a basic maintenance task to an enterprise-grade security operation. By integrating Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) mapping, CVSS scores, and Real-Time Telemetry (via Declarative Device Management for Apple), Hexnode provides a risk-centric view of your fleet.

This document details how to leverage Hexnode’s patch metrics to establish Service Level Agreements (SLAs), visualize risk through executive dashboards, and automate remediation for high-risk devices across Windows, macOS, and Linux platforms.

Prerequisites

• Agent Requirements:
  • Hexnode Agent installed and active on target devices.
  • Windows: Windows 10/11 (Pro, Enterprise, Education).
  • macOS: macOS 11.0 (Big Sur) or later for DDM capabilities.
• Network: Devices must have access to the Hexnode server and relevant OS update servers (e.g., Windows Update, Apple Software Update).

Configuration Steps

1. Defining SLA Compliance (Time-to-Remediate)

   Move beyond “Installed vs. Missing” by defining a Time-to-Remediate (TTR) metric. This ensures that devices remaining non-compliant beyond a specific threshold trigger alerts for the Security Operations Center (SOC).

   1. Navigate to Reports > Patch Reports.
   2. Select Missing Patches.
   3. Use the filter options to set criteria. For example, filter by Release Date to identify patches older than $X$ days.
   4. Click Schedule Report to automatically email this data to the security team daily or weekly.
      • Goal: Identify any device non-compliant for more than 14 days (or your internal SLA) to prioritize manual intervention.

2. Visualizing Risk via Graphical Insights

   Convert raw data tables into executive-level dashboards to assess “Fleet Health at a Glance.” This allows stakeholders to instantly distinguish between critical vulnerabilities and routine updates.

   1. Go to the Dashboard tab.
   2. Click Edit Dashboard > Add Widget.
   3. Select Patch Severity Distribution.
   4. Configure the widget to display a pie chart comparing Critical vs. Moderate patches.
   5. (Optional) Create separate dashboards for different departments (e.g., Finance vs. Sales) to pinpoint high-risk zones.

3. Triggering Automated Remediation from Metrics

   Use patch metrics as a condition to trigger automated security actions. If a device’s vulnerability count exceeds a safe threshold, it should be automatically isolated.

   1. Navigate to Manage > Device Groups.
   2. Click New Dynamic Group.
   3. Set the criteria to Vulnerability Count > greater than > 5 (or your preferred threshold).
   4. Save the group as “High Risk – Quarantine”.
   5. Go to Policies and assign a strict policy to this group that:
      • Removes Enterprise Wi-Fi profiles.
      • Imposes Kiosk Mode (restricting access to critical apps only).
      • Displays a customized wallpaper warning the user.

4. Managing the “Pending Reboot” Blind Spot

   A patch is not effective until the device restarts. “Reboot Pending” statuses are a common cause of failed compliance audits.

   1. Go to Reports > Patch Reports > Device Status.
   2. Filter the Patch Status column for Pending Reboot.
   3. Select the affected devices and click Actions > Broadcast Message.
   4. Send a notification: “Critical security updates installed. Please restart your device within 4 hours to avoid a forced reboot.”
      
      Note:

      
      You can also configure a Policy to force a reboot during non-business hours if the user fails to comply.
      

5. Monitoring Third-Party App Patch Metrics

   Operating system updates are only half the battle; exploits frequently target third-party applications like Zoom, Chrome, or Adobe.

   1. Navigate to Reports > Patch Reports > Vulnerable Devices.
   2. In the filter settings, exclude OS updates to focus solely on Third-Party Applications.
   3. Review the Application Name and Version columns to identify outdated “Shadow IT” software.
   4. Use this data to enforce mandatory app updates via the Apps tab.

Associate with Devices

While metrics are global, remediation policies must be associated with the correct entities to be effective.

• For SLA Monitoring: Associate Scheduled Reports with Auditor or Admin email addresses.
• For Automated Remediation: Ensure the Dynamic Group created in Step 3 is associated with a restrictive Policy.
  • Go to Policies > [Your Quarantine Policy] > Policy Targets.
  • Select Device Groups and add the “High Risk – Quarantine” group.

Troubleshooting & Best Practices