How do you monitor external software or 3rd party libraries security advisories and apply any security fixes promptly?

How do you monitor external software or 3rd party libraries security advisories and apply any security fixes promptly?

Monitoring and applying security fixes for external software and 3rd party libraries is crucial to maintaining a secure environment. We have implemented a comprehensive approach:

  1. Cloud Managed Services:
    We leverage cloud managed services such as AWS whenever feasible. This enables us to automatically apply rolling security patches at regular intervals, ensuring that our systems are up to date and protected against known vulnerabilities.

  2. Automated Dependency Tracking:
    Our workflow involves using automated tools like Mend Renovate to track updates and patches for dependencies. This proactive approach allows us to promptly identify vulnerabilities and necessary updates. The team is then notified, and these updates are integrated into our change management process.

  3. Regular Security Assessments:
    We conduct frequent penetration testing and vulnerability scanning to proactively identify potential security issues. By regularly assessing our systems, we can stay ahead of emerging threats and vulnerabilities.

  4. Scheduled Patch Deployment:
    Patches and updates are scheduled to be deployed on a weekly basis. This consistent schedule ensures that security fixes are applied promptly and consistently across our environments.

  5. Emergency Response:
    In the event of a major or critical vulnerability, our hotfix process comes into play. This process is designed for controlled yet swift deployment, minimizing the time to resolution and reducing exposure to potential threats.