Calling the costs of patching “astronomical,” a new Yankee Group survey has found the price of patching soared to as much as $40 million for many enterprises last year. “The cost to patch 5,000 desktops is more than $1 million, an average of $254 per desktop,” said Yankee Group analyst Phebe Waterfield. “Between Jan. 2003 and Jan. 2004 Microsoft released 40 desktop-related security patches, driving the cost to maintain completely up-to-date patch levels to an astronomical $40 million per year.” Waterfield says enterprises are responding to the increasing costs by delaying applying them until multiple patches or service packs are available. “Organizations patch monthly or quarterly — vulnerabilities are ‘acceptable risks’ in light of the cost and risks associated with patching,” said Waterfield. “Patches must be tested and rolled out across an enterprise — this is a very time consuming and expensive process.” Full Story
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