Qualys query language simplifies patch selection by allowing us to define risk-based criteria. We can target patches based on severity medium to critical and Qualys rating while excluding specific unwanted patches like "Patch xyz". As long as a patch meets our pre-approved criteria, it's automatically selected, making the approval process quick and efficient. The Patch Management integration with VMDR including all development patches and configuration changes required to remediate vulnerabilities detected by the VMDR is significantly important. While Qualys offered benefits initially, the deployment of the cloud agent truly transformed our security posture. Previously, regular scans provided only point-in-time vulnerability identification. Now, with continuous updates from the cloud agent every four hours, we have near real-time visibility into our risk levels, allowing us to prioritize and swiftly address vulnerabilities to minimize overall security exposure. TruRisk automation streamlines vulnerability remediation by prioritizing threats based on real-world exploitability, not just a generic CVSS score. This allows us to focus on the most critical issues first, avoiding the time-wasting whack-a-mole approach of patching everything at once. While all vulnerabilities eventually need to be addressed, TruRisk helps us prioritize effectively and work through them in a methodical way. Qualys' prioritization feature streamlines vulnerability management by offering a central hub to find, rank, and address critical security issues. This unified approach significantly improves collaboration between security and IT teams. Previously, prioritizing vulnerabilities was often a matter of simply patching critical ones. Patching policies also play a role, with most companies aiming for a 30-day window or less for critical patches. While the industry average turnaround is 17 days, faster patching remains crucial. Qualys' TruRisk scoring system helps identify outliers – vulnerabilities that might slip through the cracks in a well-managed environment. Traditional patching methods, like Microsoft's WSUS, may miss these outliers, but Qualys excels at finding them, providing better communication and faster remediation. This single source has helped reduce soft costs where employees were wasting time spinning their wheels searching for answers. This newfound focus allows them to dedicate their energy to more important tasks. Prior to implementing patch management, a random sampling of systems would often reveal outdated patches, some exceeding 60 days old. However, with patch management in place, finding such aged patches is now a rarity. We integrated Patch Management on top of Qualys VMDR. This gave us a lot more visibility and accuracy. Patch Management has helped to reduce our organizational risk.
