Security Patch Management Policy

Simplebooklet Marketing Inc. | Approved December 1, 2023

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Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines for maintaining the security and integrity of Simplebooklet Marketing Inc.'s systems and applications by ensuring timely identification, evaluation, and application of security patches. This policy aims to mitigate risks associated with unpatched vulnerabilities.

Scope

This policy applies to all IT systems, applications, network devices, and software under the ownership or management of Simplebooklet Marketing Inc., including production, development, and test environments.

Policy Statements

1. Patch Identification

The IT department shall regularly monitor trusted sources (e.g., software vendors, security bulletins, vulnerability databases) to identify newly released patches and updates.
Automated tools may be employed to assist in detecting vulnerabilities and required patches.

2. Patch Evaluation

All identified patches shall be evaluated for applicability and priority based on the following criteria:
Severity of the vulnerability (e.g., critical, high, medium, low)
Potential impact on systems and data
Compatibility with existing systems
Patches addressing critical vulnerabilities must be prioritized for immediate action.

3. Patch Testing

Before deployment, all patches must be tested in a controlled, non-production environment to ensure compatibility and stability.
A rollback plan must be prepared in case issues arise during or after deployment.

4. Patch Deployment

Critical and high-priority patches must be deployed within 48 hours of identification unless a valid reason for delay is documented and approved.
Medium and low-priority patches must be deployed within 30 days of identification.
Scheduled maintenance windows should be used for deployment to minimize business disruption.

5. Documentation and Reporting

All patch management activities must be documented, including:
Identified vulnerabilities
Patches applied
Testing and deployment dates
Monthly reports on patch management status must be submitted to the IT Manager.

6. Exceptions

If a patch cannot be applied (e.g., due to compatibility issues), a risk assessment must be conducted, and mitigating controls must be implemented to reduce the associated risks.
Exceptions must be documented and approved by the IT Manager.

7. Auditing and Monitoring

Regular audits must be conducted to verify that all systems are up to date with security patches.
Monitoring tools should be in place to detect unpatched systems and potential vulnerabilities.

8. Roles and Responsibilities

IT Department: Responsible for identifying, testing, and deploying patches.
System Owners: Ensure applications and systems under their control are compliant with this policy.
Employees: Report any security vulnerabilities to the IT department promptly.

Enforcement

Non-compliance with this policy may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment. Regular reviews and updates to this policy will be conducted to ensure alignment with industry best practices and organizational needs.

Effective Date: December 1st, 2023
Review Date: December 10th, 2024
Approved By: Ken Kwasnicki, CIO

Updated on: 08/09/2026

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