We recently hosted a partner webinar that dived into why patching remains one of the most critical, and often overlooked, components of Cyber Essentials compliance.
With over 60% of breaches exploiting known vulnerabilities, ransomware operators are actively targeting unpatched systems. This sends a clear message about the serious risk that lives in the gap between patch release and patch deployment.
For our Channel Partners supporting clients through Cyber Essentials certification, effective patch management is essential.
Why patching continues to challenge organisations
As you know, Cyber Essentials is designed to protect organisations against common cyber threats through five core technical control areas:
- Firewalls
- Secure configuration
- User access control
- Malware protection
- Security update management (patching)
While most MSPs have established processes for operating system updates, patch visibility across third-party applications continues to be a sticking point.
During the webinar, several common challenges were highlighted:
Limited visibility across environments
Many organisations are missing a single, combined view of patch status across all devices and applications, making it challenging to identify and remediate vulnerabilities.
Remote and hybrid workforces
Devices operating outside the corporate network can fall outside traditional update processes, increasing the risk of inconsistent or delayed patch deployment.
Third-party application sprawl
The growing number of non-Microsoft and vendor-specific applications in use creates blind spots, especially where patching tools focus mainly on operating systems.
Bandwidth constraints
Large updates implemented across distributed teams can strain network resources, which may lead to postponed rollouts and longer exposure windows.
Change management delays
Internal approval processes and testing requirements can slow deployment, making the gap between patch release and implementation larger.
Tool fragmentation
Using multiple disconnected tools for patching and reporting often results in inconsistent data, duplicated effort and limited compliance visibility.
There are many existing tools used for patching, including RMM platforms, MDM tools, manual processes and vendor-specific updaters. However, they tend to be OS-focused, offering organisations limited third-party coverage and lack the reporting clarity required for Cyber Essentials audits.
Reducing the 14-day compliance window
CyberSmart Patch was introduced with a clear objective, which is to align patching activity directly to Cyber Essentials compliance requirements and reduce the patch gap.
Designed specifically for MSPs and internal IT teams, its focus is on simplifying vulnerability remediation and providing greater assurance that organisations can meet the 14-day remediation window required under Cyber Essentials.
Rather than replacing existing patching tools, CyberSmart Patch is designed to complement them.
For example, where WSUS or another solution manages Windows updates, CyberSmart Patch can cover third-party applications. Additionally, where an MSP already has third-party patching in place, CyberSmart Patch can provide overlapping coverage to identify gaps and validate successful deployment.
By adding this additional layer of vulnerability intelligence and compliance validation, it strengthens audit readiness and improves overall reporting visibility.
Opportunity for channel partners
Beyond the technical advantages, there is also commercial opportunity for partners.
For existing Core and Complete bundle partners, CyberSmart Patch is available for internal use at discounted pricing, allowing our Channel Partners to experience the platform first-hand and strengthen their own compliance posture.
With compliance requirements becoming more prevalent, especially within the public sector supply chains, clients are looking for more guidance around both certification as well as ongoing security management. CyberSmart Patch let’s partners broaden their advisory conversations, reinforce regular services and position themselves as proactive compliance specialists, not just providers offering reactive support.
Supporting partners with practical solutions
As the UK’s leading Cyber Essentials certification body, CyberSmart continues to focus on making compliance more accessible. It enables Channel Partners to deliver continuous monitoring, automated vulnerability checks and even stronger client reporting.
This latest development shows a wider industry shift about compliance and how it demands ongoing validation and visibility.
For our partners looking to simplify their patch management process, close any visibility gaps or just strengthen their Cyber Essentials alignment, CyberSmart Patch offers a practical, and commercially viable, addition to your plans.
If you’d like to find out more, see a demo or explore how this could fit within your existing services, speak to your Brigantia Account Manager.
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