A network administrator must update the firmware on several critical network devices to patch newly discovered vulnerabilities. Which of the following represents the BEST course of action for this process?
Take no action until directly ordered to apply the update by a supervisor.
Delay the deployment until other organizations have reported the patch as stable.
Test the patches in a lab environment, then schedule the deployment during a maintenance window.
Deploy the patches immediately to all production devices to mitigate the vulnerabilities as soon as possible.
The best practice for applying critical patches involves a structured change management process. This includes first testing the patches in a non-production or lab environment to verify their stability and compatibility with existing systems. Once tested, the deployment should be scheduled during a maintenance window to minimize disruption to business operations. Deploying patches immediately without testing can introduce new bugs or cause system instability, potentially leading to a larger outage. Delaying patches unnecessarily leaves the network exposed to known vulnerabilities, while simply waiting for a supervisor's direct order represents a passive and improper approach to a known critical issue.
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What are firmware updates and why are they important?
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What is a maintenance window in network management?
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What are the potential risks of not testing patches before deployment?