Patch management for
MSPs

Patch management is the process of identifying, acquiring, testing and applying software updates to operating systems (OSs) and applications. These updates fix security vulnerabilities, bugs and sometimes improve performance. For MSPs, patch management ensures client systems stay secure, compliant and reliable.

Manually updating dozens or hundreds of client systems is time consuming and prone to error. Patch management software automates this task, helping MSPs consistently apply updates, reduce risk and improve operational efficiency. It also helps meet compliance standards that require up-to-date systems.

Cyberattacks often exploit known vulnerabilities for which patches already exist. By automating patch deployment, patching software helps close these gaps before attackers can take advantage of them. This is one of the most effective ways to reduce cyber risk and ensure clients remain protected.

Look for Windows OS and third-party app patching, automation of patch discovery and deployment, flexible scheduling and reboot control, reporting and centralized multiclient management. Native integration with your RMM and cybersecurity tools is also important for reliability and streamlined operations.

Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud, through Acronis RMM, provides automated patch management for Windows systems. It includes built-in vulnerability assessments, auto-approval, flexible deployment policies and fail-safe patching with prepatch backups. Everything is managed from a single console, making it easy to support multiple clients efficiently.

Acronis RMM currently supports patch management for Windows OSs only. This includes Windows OS updates and automated patching for over 320 widely used third-party Windows applications.

Acronis RMM stands out from other MSP patch management solutions by offering deep integration within a full MSP platform that includes cybersecurity, backup, disaster recovery and PSA — all managed through a single console and agent. It uses a proprietary, reliable patching engine rather than relying on open-source components, ensuring higher stability and control. Acronis also leads in third-party Windows application coverage, supporting automatic patching for over 320 commonly used apps. Combined with features like fail-safe patching, secure script execution and patch deployment linked to vulnerability assessments, Acronis delivers a more complete, secure and efficient patch management solution for MSPs.

Yes. Acronis RMM automatically patches over 320 common third-party Windows applications, such as web browsers, PDF readers and communication tools. This reduces manual effort and ensures software across all client systems stays current and secure..

Acronis includes a preupdate backup feature that creates a full-image backup before applying patches. If a patch fails or causes system issues, this allows for immediate rollback to the previous stable state, reducing downtime and risks.

Acronis uses the Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) to rate vulnerabilities as “Critical” or “High.” This helps MSPs prioritize patching efforts based on severity, ensuring the most urgent vulnerabilities are addressed first.

Yes, administrators can create tailored protection plans to target specific devices or set criteria for patching based on severity, device type, or approval status. This flexibility ensures patches are applied optimally without disrupting operations.

Automatic patching enables administrators to schedule patch deployments during nonbusiness hours to avoid productivity disruptions. Custom maintenance windows can also be configured to ensure smooth operations.