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Tools to Make Patch Management Easier


Manual patching across hundreds or thousands of devices is unrealistic. The good news is that there are tools, some free or low-cost, that can help automate and streamline the process.


1. Action1 (Cloud Patch Management)

  • Free for up to 200 endpoints.
  • Cloud-based, no on-prem server required.
  • Works across Windows environments.
  • Features: Patch deployment, reporting, and remote software installation.


Great fit for smaller districts or those with limited infrastructure.


2. Mosyle (for macOS/iOS Devices)

  • Cloud-native Apple device management.
  • Automates macOS and iOS patching.
  • Free tier available for smaller deployments.


Excellent choice for schools running large Apple fleets.


3. Microsoft Intune (Education Licensing)

  • Often already included in Microsoft 365 A3/A5 education licenses.
  • Provides centralized patch management for Windows devices.
  • Supports compliance policies and reporting.


Best if your district is already invested in Microsoft’s ecosystem.


4. WSUS (Windows Server Update Services)

  • Free Microsoft tool for on-prem environments.
  • Allows centralized control of Windows updates.
  • Requires server resources and management.


Good for districts that prefer on-prem solutions and already run Windows Server.


5. PDQ Deploy & PDQ Inventory

  • Paid solution, but discounted for education.
  • Great for patching third-party applications (Java, Chrome, Zoom, etc.).
  • Easy scripting and deployment.


Good for IT teams that need more control beyond OS patches.


6. Open-Source Options (for Linux / Mixed Environments)

  • Ansible: Automates patching across Linux servers/workstations.
  • Chocolatey (Windows): Package manager to script application updates.
  • Munki (macOS): Open-source tool for app patching and distribution.


Useful for districts with diverse environments or tech-savvy IT teams.


Best Practices for Patch Management in Schools

  1. Prioritize Critical Updates – Apply security patches as soon as possible, especially for internet-facing systems.
  2. Test Before Deploying Broadly – Use a small pilot group to ensure patches don’t break instructional apps.
  3. Automate Where Possible – Use MDM tools (Intune, Mosyle, JAMF) to reduce manual work.
  4. Report and Verify – Always generate reports to confirm compliance (useful for ITEC 7230a audits).
  5. Don’t Forget Third-Party Apps – Browsers, Zoom, Java, and Adobe products often introduce as much risk as the OS.


Patch management isn’t glamorous, but it’s one of the most impactful cybersecurity practices schools can implement. By aligning with ITEC 7230a and NIST CSF 2.0, districts strengthen security and meet compliance obligations.


Even resource-constrained IT teams can build a sustainable patch management program with free and low-cost tools like Action1, Mosyle, and WSUS.


At the end of the day, patch management is about protecting students, staff, and the learning environment from preventable disruptions.

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