Security patching should be a no-brainer. When a software maker releases a fix, the natural response should be to apply it. But in the real world, things aren’t that simple. Companies, big and small, often delay applying patches—sometimes for days, sometimes for months. This habit opens doors for hackers, risks customer trust, and can lead to expensive breaches. But why do these delays happen? And how can they be fixed?
1. 60% of breaches involved vulnerabilities for which a patch was available but not applied
This stat says it all. More than half of all security breaches happen because someone somewhere didn’t apply a patch that was already sitting there, ready to go. The fix existed. It just wasn’t used.
So why does this happen? Often, it’s a mix of poor planning, lack of visibility, and fear that applying a patch might break something else. Sometimes the IT team is too busy. Sometimes leadership doesn’t see patching as urgent.
To fix this, start with better visibility. You can’t patch what you don’t know exists. Use tools to scan for missing patches and out-of-date systems regularly. Automate reporting so IT doesn’t need to hunt things down manually.
Make patching part of your weekly workflow. Assign someone to own it. Schedule regular reviews of critical systems, and apply high-risk patches as soon as possible—even outside of maintenance windows if needed.
Lastly, connect patching to your risk management process. Help leadership understand that unpatched systems aren’t just an IT problem—they’re a business risk.
2. The average time to patch a critical vulnerability is 102 days
Over three months to patch a critical hole? That’s a long time to stay exposed. During this window, attackers scan for known flaws and jump on them quickly. So while you’re waiting to test and deploy a patch, bad actors are already using that same information against you.
If your average patch time is close to or above this number, it’s time to tighten things up.
A smart way to begin is by categorizing systems by criticality. Not every device needs the same level of urgency. Focus on systems that connect to the internet or hold sensitive data first. These should be patched within days, not months.
Streamline your testing process. If every patch goes through weeks of manual testing, you need to automate more. Use sandbox environments to test patches quickly and safely.
Virtual testing labs can mirror your production environment and show if something breaks—without impacting users.
Finally, measure and report your patching time internally. Share it in team meetings. This keeps everyone accountable and helps create urgency.
3. Only 25% of companies patch critical vulnerabilities within the first week
Just one in four companies gets around to patching critical issues within seven days. That’s not great when you consider that attackers often begin exploiting new vulnerabilities within hours of them being announced.
Speed matters. But so does structure. If you want to be in that top 25%, you need a clear playbook.
First, define what “critical” really means for your organization. Use CVSS scores, sure, but also add business context. A vulnerability in your payroll system may be more important than one in a test server, even if they have the same technical score.
Next, have a rapid response plan. When a new critical vulnerability is announced, who does what? Who tests it, who approves it, and who deploys it? Don’t figure this out on the fly—create a checklist and assign roles ahead of time.
Lastly, communicate patching wins. When your team patches something fast, celebrate it. This builds a culture where speed is recognized, not just uptime.
4. 57% of organizations take longer than a month to patch known vulnerabilities
If you’re taking more than a month to patch, you’re leaving the door wide open. Attackers are fast. Once a vulnerability becomes public, it’s not long before exploit kits start circulating online. And they don’t wait for your next monthly update.
To speed things up, simplify approvals. If every patch has to pass through multiple departments, you’re losing time. For critical patches, empower the IT or security team to push changes with minimal red tape—then inform the rest of the business afterward.
Also, create patching sprints. Set aside a day or two each month where all hands are on deck to address open vulnerabilities. Make it a recurring calendar event, not an afterthought.
Finally, run patching reports and review them in security meetings. See what’s been patched, what hasn’t, and why. This keeps the focus sharp.
5. 1 in 3 organizations admits to delaying patches due to concerns about system downtime
It’s understandable. No one wants to take down a critical application just to apply a fix. But delaying patches out of fear can be costly—sometimes more costly than the downtime you’re trying to avoid.
Here’s the trick: balance uptime and security. Use redundancy where you can. If one system needs to reboot after a patch, make sure a backup is ready to take over.
Also, test patches during off-hours in staging environments. This helps spot potential issues before they hit production. Many vendors also offer patch notes and compatibility info—read them before rolling anything out.
And if downtime really is unavoidable, communicate early. Tell users what to expect, when, and why. People are much more understanding when they’re kept in the loop.
6. 76% of successful cyberattacks exploited known vulnerabilities with available patches
This one hurts. Most successful attacks aren’t caused by brilliant hackers—they’re caused by negligence. The tools they use are often publicly available. The vulnerability is already known. And the fix is right there, waiting.
To reduce your risk, stop thinking of patching as a “nice-to-have.” Make it a security control. Track it like you would firewalls or encryption. If you don’t apply patches, you’re gambling—and the odds are not in your favor.
Consider building patching into your incident response planning. Assume a vulnerability will be exploited. How will you detect it? How fast can you respond?
Security is about reducing attack surface. And nothing shrinks your surface faster than consistent patching.
7. Enterprises typically patch only 10% of vulnerabilities within the first 30 days
That means 90% of known problems are left hanging for over a month. Not because they’re all complicated, but often because there’s no system in place to handle the volume.
Start with prioritization. Not every vulnerability needs immediate attention. But the top 10%? Those are your high-severity, high-impact flaws. They should always be on your radar.
Use vulnerability management tools that help rank issues based on severity and asset value. Don’t just look at the technical score—ask what happens if this system gets hit.
Then, automate the easy wins. If a server doesn’t need human testing, let your system patch it overnight. Save your limited people power for the tricky stuff.
8. 50% of organizations lack a formal patch management policy
Without a policy, patching becomes chaotic. It’s easy to miss systems, delay action, or assume someone else is handling it.
A good patch management policy doesn’t need to be long or complex. It just needs to answer a few key questions:
- Who is responsible for patching?
- How often are systems reviewed?
- What’s the process for testing and deploying patches?
- How are exceptions handled?
Write it down. Share it with your IT and security teams. Update it once a year. Having a policy turns patching from an ad-hoc task into a disciplined routine.
9. 40% of IT teams say they don’t have enough staff to handle timely patching
Staffing is tight everywhere. But when patching falls through the cracks, it leaves security gaps. The solution isn’t always to hire more people—it’s to use the people you have more effectively.
First, lean on automation. There are great tools that can deploy patches across thousands of machines with minimal input. Let your team focus on monitoring and troubleshooting, not clicking “install” 1,000 times.
Second, cross-train your team. If only one person knows how to patch a specific system, you’re vulnerable. Make patching knowledge part of your team’s skill base.
Finally, outsource where it makes sense. For non-critical systems or legacy devices, third-party services can handle updates so your core team can focus on high-priority assets.
10. 62% of businesses prioritize patching based on potential business impact, not severity
This stat actually reflects smart thinking. Not all high-severity vulnerabilities matter equally to your business. A bug in an unused tool might technically be critical—but if it doesn’t affect your operations, it’s a lower priority.
The key is to combine technical severity with business impact. Build a matrix that considers both. A medium-severity flaw in your customer database might be more urgent than a critical one in a test server.
Work with business leaders to understand which systems matter most. When security and business teams speak the same language, patching becomes faster and more strategic.
11. 30% of companies still run unsupported operating systems with unpatched flaws
Running unsupported systems is like driving a car without brakes. It might still run, but any failure could be catastrophic—and no one’s coming to help.
Legacy systems are often kept around for compatibility reasons. Maybe a key application only runs on Windows 7 or an old version of Linux. The problem is, once the vendor stops supporting the OS, no new patches are released. That means any vulnerabilities will stay open—forever.
Start by taking inventory. Know exactly which systems are running unsupported software. From there, make a plan. Can you upgrade them? Replace them? Isolating them behind firewalls or putting them on a separate network can also help reduce risk.
If you absolutely must keep them, monitor them closely. Use endpoint protection and network monitoring to detect unusual activity. But ideally, unsupported systems should be phased out as soon as possible.
12. 68% of firms use manual processes for patch management
Manual patching is slow, error-prone, and hard to scale. It’s easy to forget systems, skip steps, or apply updates inconsistently. For a handful of machines, it’s manageable. But once you hit dozens or hundreds, it quickly breaks down.
Automation is the way forward. Tools like WSUS, SCCM, or third-party platforms can automate the download, testing, and rollout of patches across your environment. You can schedule updates, monitor success rates, and receive alerts when something fails.
Even a partial move to automation helps. Start with servers or desktops that don’t need a lot of oversight. Once that’s stable, expand to more critical systems with tighter rules.
The goal isn’t to remove human oversight—but to let humans focus on decisions, not buttons.
13. Only 19% of organizations patch vulnerabilities within 24 hours of disclosure
Patching within a day isn’t always possible, but in some cases, it’s essential. For example, zero-day vulnerabilities with active exploits in the wild require immediate action. Waiting even a couple of days could be too long.
To react fast, your team needs alerts. Subscribe to vendor mailing lists, threat intelligence feeds, and vulnerability databases. When a critical patch is released, you want to know right away.
Have a fast-lane process for urgent patches. This skips the usual delays and gets a patch deployed quickly, even if it’s only a temporary fix.
Also, train your team to recognize when speed matters. Not every update needs a fire drill—but some do. Knowing the difference is key.
14. 55% of companies experience patch failures during the update process
Patch failures happen, and when they do, they can stop a business in its tracks. Systems crash, applications break, and users lose access. That’s why many companies delay patching in the first place—they’re scared of these outcomes.
You can’t avoid all failures, but you can manage the risk. Always test patches in a staging environment before rolling them out. If possible, apply updates to a few machines first—then scale up.
Keep rollback plans in place. Have backups ready and know how to restore a system if an update goes wrong. Logging patch failures and reviewing root causes also helps prevent repeat issues.
Use patching tools that report success and failure clearly. Visibility into what’s working—and what’s not—gives you confidence and control.
15. 41% of organizations delay patching due to insufficient asset visibility
You can’t patch what you can’t see. If you don’t have a clear inventory of your hardware, software, and network endpoints, patching becomes a guessing game.
This is a foundational issue—and one of the first things to fix. Start with a full asset inventory. Use discovery tools that scan your network and list everything connected. Then keep it updated regularly.
Make sure you know:
- What devices exist
- What operating systems they run
- What software they use
- Who owns them
Once your inventory is solid, link it to your vulnerability scanner. This creates a live map of what needs patching and when. Asset visibility is the backbone of every security process—not just patching.
16. 34% of businesses patch monthly, regardless of vulnerability severity
A fixed patching schedule sounds nice and organized, but it doesn’t always fit the real world. When high-risk vulnerabilities emerge, waiting for your “next patch cycle” can leave you vulnerable for weeks.
Monthly patching is fine for lower-risk issues or maintenance tasks. But for critical security flaws, you need the flexibility to act fast.
To adjust, split your patching into two streams: routine and urgent. Routine patches go out monthly. Urgent ones can be deployed as needed, guided by your risk management team.
The key is agility. A rigid schedule might make planning easier—but security requires speed when it matters most.
17. 24% of companies do not regularly scan for vulnerabilities
Without scanning, you’re operating blind. You won’t know what needs patching—or how bad the situation really is.
Scanning tools help identify missing patches, outdated software, and misconfigurations. They show you where your risk lives.
Start by scheduling regular scans—weekly or bi-weekly is a good goal. Include internal systems, cloud assets, and endpoints. Don’t limit scanning to just servers or network infrastructure.
Also, make sure scan results lead to action. It’s easy to let reports pile up. Assign ownership to team members who will review findings and prioritize fixes.
Good vulnerability management starts with visibility—and scans are your window into the problem.
18. 45% of IT security teams say patching is disruptive to business operations
This is a common concern. No one wants to shut down a system or deal with user complaints over a slow computer. But skipping patches to “keep the peace” often leads to bigger issues later.
To reduce disruption, communicate clearly. Let users know what’s being updated, why, and when. Choose patch windows carefully—late nights, weekends, or slow hours.
Also, stagger updates. Don’t push patches to every device at once. Start with a small group, verify success, then expand.
Using patch management tools can also help time updates more precisely. This gives you more control and less chaos.
19. 61% of companies take more than two weeks to patch high-severity flaws
Two weeks might not sound long, but in cybersecurity, it’s a lifetime. Threat actors move fast, and the window between disclosure and exploitation is shrinking.
The issue is usually process-related. Patches need to be approved, tested, and scheduled—steps that add days or weeks.
To move faster, simplify the flow. Pre-approve patch categories, automate testing where possible, and eliminate non-essential steps.
You don’t need to patch everything in two days. But your most critical systems? Those should be updated immediately, with a streamlined emergency path.
Speed doesn’t mean recklessness. It means readiness.
20. 28% of firms outsource their patch management to third parties
Outsourcing can work well—especially for smaller teams or companies with limited expertise. But it doesn’t remove your responsibility. If a breach happens due to missed patches, it’s still your reputation on the line.
If you use a third party, hold them accountable. Review their patching reports. Set clear SLAs for patch timelines. Ask how they test and verify updates.
Also, integrate them into your security operations. Make sure your internal team is aware of what’s being patched and when. Communication gaps are where problems creep in.
Outsourcing patching is fine—as long as it’s managed well.
21. 49% of patching delays are due to compatibility testing requirements
Compatibility testing is important. You don’t want a patch breaking a business-critical application. But when nearly half of delays are tied to testing, it’s worth asking: is your process too slow?
One solution is to invest in better test environments. Mirror your production systems as closely as possible in staging. That way, you can apply patches in a safe space and spot potential conflicts before they cause real issues.
Also, automate your testing where you can. Scripts can verify that key systems and applications still work after a patch is applied. This cuts down on time and human error.
And don’t over-test every little thing. Focus your efforts on high-risk or complex systems. For lower-impact systems, a faster, lighter testing process may be just fine.
At the end of the day, compatibility is key—but speed is too. Finding the balance takes work, but it pays off in security and stability.
22. Only 12% of organizations have automated patching for all systems
Automation isn’t just for convenience—it’s a security advantage. When only a small group of companies have full automation, it means the rest are spending too much time on manual patching—and potentially missing updates.
Fully automated patching doesn’t mean “set it and forget it.” It means having a system that applies updates according to rules you control. You decide what gets patched, when, and how.
Start small. Automate updates on systems that are well understood and low risk. Gradually expand to more areas as your confidence grows.
Also, choose tools that give visibility. You want to know which patches were applied, which failed, and what’s pending. Automation without insight can be dangerous.
Once you build out automation across your environment, patching becomes faster, more consistent, and less stressful.
23. 71% of organizations say legacy systems slow down their patching process
Legacy systems are often fragile, custom, or tied to old software that can’t easily be updated. They’re also some of the most vulnerable assets in a company’s network.
Patching them is tricky. Sometimes no updates are even available. When they are, testing is more complex and riskier.
The first step is to isolate these systems as much as possible. Limit their network access. Monitor them closely for unusual behavior.
Next, explore virtualization. Can the same function be moved to a newer system or virtual machine? If not, at least create a plan for long-term replacement.
Document everything. Legacy systems usually have knowledge locked in someone’s head or buried in old emails. Make sure your IT team knows what the system does and what breaks it.
Legacy doesn’t have to mean liability—but it does mean extra care and planning.
24. 38% of breaches in the past year involved vulnerabilities older than 3 years
This stat is a punch in the gut. Nearly four out of ten breaches involved flaws that have been known—and fixable—for over three years. That’s not a tech problem. That’s a process problem.
Old vulnerabilities stick around because systems get missed. Maybe they’re hidden behind a firewall, or maybe they’re not part of regular patch scans. Either way, attackers find them.
The fix? Go hunting.
Run full vulnerability scans across your environment. Prioritize findings based on age and severity. Anything older than a year should be investigated and patched fast.
Also, review your patching history. Are there gaps? Systems that haven’t been touched in years? Those are the weak spots attackers love.
Keep in mind—security is not just about the new stuff. It’s about fixing what’s already broken.
25. 47% of IT professionals say patching is not a top priority for executive leadership
When leadership doesn’t prioritize patching, it’s easy for security to slide. Budgets shrink, timelines stretch, and updates get pushed to next quarter… again.
If you’re in IT or security, it’s your job to change that. But not by fear-mongering. Instead, use data.
Show leadership the cost of unpatched systems: lost revenue, regulatory fines, brand damage. Compare the risk of a breach to the cost of patching. In most cases, patching wins.
Also, link patching to business outcomes. Want to pass an audit? Stay compliant? Protect customer trust? Patching is part of that.
When leadership sees patching as a business enabler, not just a technical task, priorities shift.
26. 33% of organizations have experienced a breach due to unpatched software
A third of companies have learned the hard way that ignoring patches can lead to disaster. These breaches aren’t theoretical. They result in stolen data, lost money, and damaged trust.
If you’ve been lucky so far, don’t take that luck for granted. Use this stat to build urgency in your team.
Make patching a routine part of your breach prevention strategy. Schedule regular reviews of patch status. Discuss it in your security meetings.
Also, do post-mortems after any incident—even small ones. Ask, “Was a missed patch involved?” You’ll learn valuable lessons and prevent future issues.
Breaches happen. But if yours happens because of a missed patch, that’s a preventable failure.
27. 59% of companies cite patch testing complexity as a reason for delays
Complexity can’t be avoided entirely. Every environment has quirks. But complexity doesn’t have to be chaos.
Start by documenting your testing procedures. What needs to be tested? What systems are connected? What applications might break? When your process is written down, it’s easier to refine and improve.
Next, standardize where possible. Use the same tools, images, and scripts across teams. Consistency reduces testing time and surprises.
Also, bring developers into the loop. They can help identify dependencies and reduce risk. Cross-team communication is key when systems are tightly integrated.
The simpler you make your testing process, the faster you can patch with confidence.
28. 22% of firms wait for a scheduled maintenance window, even for critical patches
Routine maintenance windows are helpful—but they’re not always fast enough. If you’re waiting weeks for a window while a known exploit is circulating, you’re putting your systems at risk.
To fix this, create a separate track for emergency patching. This doesn’t replace your maintenance window—it complements it.
Train your team to recognize when a patch can’t wait. Give them the authority to push updates outside of schedule when the risk justifies it.
Communicate clearly with stakeholders when you do this. Explain the urgency, the plan, and the outcome. Most users prefer a short disruption over a long-term breach.
29. 44% of businesses lack centralized visibility into patch status across systems
Without a central dashboard, you’re flying blind. You might patch 90% of your systems—but if you can’t prove it, or don’t know which 10% are left, your risk remains high.
Centralized visibility starts with the right tools. Use endpoint management software that tracks patch status, failure rates, and pending updates across all devices.
Pull in data from all environments—on-prem, cloud, mobile, remote workers. A fragmented network doesn’t mean fragmented visibility.
Use dashboards to report status to leadership. Show trends, not just numbers. Are you getting faster over time? Reducing missed patches? That’s the kind of story data can tell.
When you see everything, you can fix anything.
30. Only 16% of companies meet industry-recommended patching timelines
Industry standards recommend patching critical flaws within a week, and high-severity ones within 30 days. Yet, only a small slice of companies actually hit those marks.
If you’re not there yet, don’t get discouraged—but don’t stay stuck either. Start by measuring your own patching speed. Track time from vulnerability discovery to full deployment.
Then look for your bottlenecks. Is it approvals? Testing? Communication? Fix one link at a time.
Finally, set goals. Maybe this quarter you aim for 50% of patches within 30 days. Next quarter, 70%. Small wins lead to big gains.
Patching isn’t glamorous. But it’s one of the most powerful things you can do to secure your business. Make it a habit, not an afterthought.
wrapping it up
Patching delays are more common—and more dangerous—than most people realize. The good news? Every company can improve. With better visibility, clearer processes, and a culture of urgency, you can turn patching from a problem into a strength.
