What is the best way to mitigate the risk of interoperability issues after critical patches are released?

What is the best way to mitigate the risk of interoperability issues after critical patches are released?

• A. Ensure that a reliable system rollback plan is in place
• B. Test the patch on the least critical systems first
• C. Allow updates to occur only after hours
• D. Ensure that patches are approved by the chief information security officer (CISO)

Answer: (A)

The most effective way to mitigate the risk of interoperability issues after critical patches are released is to ensure that a reliable system rollback plan is in place. This approach provides a safety net that allows an organization to revert to a previous stable state if the patch causes unforeseen problems or conflicts with existing systems. Having a rollback plan is essential because, despite thorough testing, unexpected issues can arise once the patch is applied to live environments. If an interoperability issue occurs, a well-prepared rollback strategy can minimize downtime, maintain system integrity, and ensure operational continuity. The choice to test patches on less critical systems can help identify potential issues, but it does not guarantee that interactions with critical systems will be problem-free. Allowing updates only after hours does not address the root cause of interoperability challenges, as issues can manifest regardless of timing. Lastly, while having the CISO approve patches ensures that security considerations are addressed, it does not inherently reduce the risks related to system interoperability following a patch release.

The most effective way to mitigate the risk of interoperability issues after critical patches are released is to ensure that a reliable system rollback plan is in place. This approach provides a safety net that allows an organization to revert to a previous stable state if the patch causes unforeseen problems or conflicts with existing systems.

Having a rollback plan is essential because, despite thorough testing, unexpected issues can arise once the patch is applied to live environments. If an interoperability issue occurs, a well-prepared rollback strategy can minimize downtime, maintain system integrity, and ensure operational continuity.

The choice to test patches on less critical systems can help identify potential issues, but it does not guarantee that interactions with critical systems will be problem-free. Allowing updates only after hours does not address the root cause of interoperability challenges, as issues can manifest regardless of timing. Lastly, while having the CISO approve patches ensures that security considerations are addressed, it does not inherently reduce the risks related to system interoperability following a patch release.