Patch Management Audit Checklist – Free PDF

Templates

Patch management audit checklist template

Use this template with Lumiform

Customize this template or build your own
Fill out templates via mobile app
Get reports and analyse your data

Prices start from ░░░ per month

Book a demo

Learn more

Use this template with Lumiform

Customize this template or build your own
Fill out templates via mobile app
Get reports and analyse your data

Prices start from ░░░ per month

Book a demo

Learn more

This patch management audit checklist allows you to thoroughly evaluate your organization’s patching processes to identify security gaps and compliance issues. The template provides a framework for auditing patch management policies, procedures, and compliance requirements.

Research from GreyNoise reveals that in 80% of cases, attacker activity precedes public vulnerability disclosures by up to six weeks. This highlights the critical importance of robust patch management. With the checklist, you can systematically assess your current patch management effectiveness, document findings, and implement targeted improvements to protect your systems from exploitation.

Related categories

Preview of the template

Audit Checklist

Audit Criteria

Are documented patch management policies and procedures in place?

Are patch management roles and responsibilities clearly defined?

Is there a formal patch management process that includes identification, evaluation, testing, deployment, and validation?

Are systems and applications consistently monitored for available patches?

Is there a process to prioritize and deploy critical patches in a timely manner?

Are non-critical patches evaluated, tested, and deployed in a controlled manner?

Are patch deployment activities documented and records maintained?

Compliance Checks

Are patch levels compliant with industry standards and regulations?

Are systems exempted from patching compliant with defined policies?

Are post-deployment validation checks performed to ensure patch integrity and functionality?

Are patch deployment issues and failures documented and addressed?

Is the patch management process periodically reviewed and updated?

Findings and Recommendations

Document any gaps or areas for improvement identified during the audit.

Provide recommendations to enhance the patch management process.

Frequently asked questions

How can I use this patch management audit checklist most effectively?

Begin by gathering all relevant documentation before starting the audit. Work methodically through each section, collecting evidence for each criterion rather than relying on verbal confirmations. Document specific findings for each item and consider involving team members from different departments to gain diverse perspectives on your patch management processes.

What evidence should I collect when completing this audit checklist?

Collect written policies and procedures, role assignment documentation, patch deployment logs, vulnerability scan reports, and testing protocols. Also gather records of patch exceptions with their justifications, remediation timelines for failed patches, and documentation of your prioritization methodology for critical versus non-critical updates.

What should I do with the findings from this patch management audit?

Document all identified gaps in detail, prioritize them based on security risk and compliance impact, and develop specific remediation plans with clear ownership and deadlines. Present findings to leadership with recommendations for process improvements, resource allocation, and policy updates to strengthen your overall patch management program.

How can I address systems that cannot be patched when completing this audit?

Document each unpatchable system with a formal exception process that includes business justification, risk assessment, and compensating controls. Implement additional security measures like network segmentation, enhanced monitoring, or application controls. Review these exceptions regularly as part of your audit process.

This template, developed by Lumiform employees, serves as a starting point for businesses using the Lumiform platform and is intended as a hypothetical example only. It does not replace professional advice. Companies should consult qualified professionals to assess the suitability and legality of using this template in their specific workplace or jurisdiction. Lumiform is not liable for any errors or omissions in this template or for any actions taken based on its content.