ServiceNow provides a comprehensive Patch Management solution as part of its IT Service Management (ITSM) suite. Patch management is a critical process for organizations to ensure the security and stability of their IT infrastructure by applying software updates, security patches, and fixes to systems and software components. Here are the key aspects of ServiceNow Patch Management:

1. Inventory and Asset Discovery: ServiceNow’s Patch Management starts with a thorough inventory of IT assets and devices within the organization. It helps identify hardware and software components that require patching.

2. Patch Scanning and Vulnerability Assessment: ServiceNow continuously scans the environment for vulnerabilities and missing patches. It leverages industry-standard databases and sources to identify the latest patches and security updates.

3. Patch Classification: Patches are categorized based on their criticality and importance. This helps IT teams prioritize and focus on critical patches that address high-risk vulnerabilities.

4. Patch Deployment: ServiceNow automates the deployment of patches to endpoints, servers, and other devices. It ensures that patches are applied consistently and in a controlled manner, reducing the risk of vulnerabilities.

5. Change Management Integration: ServiceNow integrates with Change Management processes to ensure that patch deployments follow approved change management procedures. This helps maintain a balance between security and operational stability.

6. Testing and Staging: Before deploying patches to production systems, ServiceNow allows organizations to test patches in a staging environment to assess their impact on applications and services.

7. Scheduling and Maintenance Windows: Organizations can schedule patch deployment during maintenance windows to minimize disruptions to business operations.

8. Reporting and Compliance: ServiceNow provides reporting and compliance monitoring features to track patch deployment progress, identify devices that are not compliant, and generate audit reports for compliance purposes.

9. Automation and Orchestration: ServiceNow’s automation capabilities enable the automation of patch deployment tasks, reducing manual effort and increasing efficiency.

10. Third-Party Patching: ServiceNow Patch Management can extend its capabilities to cover third-party software applications, not just operating systems, ensuring a more comprehensive approach to patching.

11. Rollback and Remediation: In the event of a failed patch deployment or unexpected issues, ServiceNow facilitates rollback procedures and remediation to restore systems to a stable state.

12. Integration with Vulnerability Management: ServiceNow can integrate with Vulnerability Management to correlate patch information with vulnerabilities, helping organizations prioritize patching based on risk.