What is our primary use case?
Qualys Patch Management includes cloud simplicity and a very straightforward interface, which is why it is preferable. Our client has a specific requirement that we use Qualys Patch Management because it may be recommended by the client. Other various technical specifications are involved, such as cloud-based patch management, which is easily accessed via its SaaS platform, and no on-prem patch servers are utilized, ensuring centralized control and access within hybrid cloud environments. Cloud Agent drives patch management with its very lightweight agent at endpoint servers, creating minimal load. Another use case is that it operates without VPN for outbound connectivity and provides real-time patch visibility.
I have deployed the solution across various environments, including cloud, on-premises, and hybrid models, utilizing different licenses across data centers. The primary cloud data centers in India operating on AWS or Azure support all types of environments without limitations.
What is most valuable?
As a third-party auditor, I particularly value the risk-based patch prioritization features in Qualys Patch Management, such as CVSS scores, exploitability, threat intelligence, and prioritizing cases based on criticality, severities, and exploits.
During the scan, it is based on the CVSS score, which categorizes severity scores as critical, high, medium, and low initial risk indicators. Then we check for exploitation intelligence, where Qualys Patch Management automatically informs us of known exploits, active exploitations, and weaponized vulnerabilities. A high CVSS score indicates that this needs to be closed as per SLA within customer requirements. The next step is understanding malware threat contexts, which includes malware associations, ransomware links, and APT relevancies during the asset criticality phase. In this phase, we identify production requirements, citizen-centric services, dependencies on data centers, and payment services, allowing us to tag the asset accordingly. Then we perform exposure and reachability checks due to potential connections that may rely externally. Qualys Patch Management functions in all types of environments, including cloud environments, making it the best approach for faster recommendations on real-time threats. It also reduces operational times and provides clarity on SLAs and auditor requirements.
TruRisk Automation is a component of VMDR or patch management that contributes to continuous detection. Automatically prioritizing vulnerabilities based on CVSS scores and known exploits enables automated remediation mapping and patch management as well, followed by post-patch validation. The key benefits for customers revolve around faster remediation of exploit threats, reduced manual effort, and lowered MTTR while ensuring adherence to SLAs and maintaining a full audit trail. TruRisk assessment relies on automation, correlation, and exploit intelligence, all integral features within VMDR and TruRisk remediation.
Qualys Patch Management provides a single source of truth for assets and vulnerabilities that require assessment, prioritization, and remediation. In cybersecurity contexts, this means that during an attack's initial phase, it can easily identify vulnerable assets in a production environment. It helps with asset inventory, prioritization, and prediction as well as risk views. I can visualize everything on a unified dashboard like TruRisk, allowing for a clear overview of severities and exploitability. During patch status reporting or compliance checks, I identify missing patches easily, and deployment can occur for those gaps to ensure adherence to one hundred percent compliance according to assessed risks. In reporting, I have customizable SLAs and aging details based on required patch timelines, highlighting the platform's usability for both government entities and private sectors.
What needs improvement?
There is a single loophole within patch rates related to zero-day vulnerabilities, which present notable challenges in cybersecurity that Qualys Patch Management needs to improve on, as they sometimes require extensive time to mitigate.
Everything functions well, although in today's era, I suggest enhancements such as integrating natural processing models and queries within the product. Including artificial intelligence features would allow for rapid market capture, particularly within government areas where users may not be technologically advanced. Utilizing natural language processing queries would streamline report generation.
On the rating scale against other patch solutions, I assign Qualys Patch Management a score of nine, considering only a slight deduction for the slow response time towards zero-day vulnerabilities.
Overall, I give the solution a rating of nine out of ten for its various components and perspectives, the only deduction being for the management of zero-day vulnerabilities, which still require improvement. Although they are being addressed, it does take time due to the reliance on globally sourced threat intelligence, which is contingent upon their efficacy and the broader industry landscape.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Qualys Patch Management since two thousand twelve when it initially started with vulnerability management and patch management, and it works on compliance management, so I have worked with Qualys Patch Management for at least approximately ten years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
For stability, I would rate it nine due to heavy computations influencing processing speed; it works efficiently within data centers, but in less capable environments, report generation may lag at times, although it ultimately functions properly.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The scalability is impressive since it auto-scales in real-time whenever peak thresholds are crossed, receiving a score of ten out of ten.
How are customer service and support?
Having worked for ten to fifteen years in cybersecurity and various CERTs, I find that if you receive a product that offers superior output at competitive market rates, I grant all of Qualys' products perfect marks, not just this one. They are readily available on the market, supported by helpful resellers, and prompt customer assistance effectively addresses concerns within specified timelines, all of which elevate my satisfaction.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
I have tested Nessus Tenable, regarded as one of the most powerful tools available compared to Qualys Patch Management; all other tools trail behind in capability.
The pricing of Qualys Patch Management is comparatively cheap; hence my high rating, as Tenable and other offerings present significantly higher licensing costs, often three to four times as much. Furthermore, a remarkable advantage of Qualys Patch Management is the absence of asset limitations; once a license is purchased, unlimited assets can be added. For example, if you secure licenses for three hundred assets, you are unrestricted in adding or modifying this within the interface.
What other advice do I have?
In my relationship with Qualys Patch Management, I am working as a third-party auditor in EY, KPMG, and Deloitte.
I work as a third-party auditor consultant; we audit compliances as well as security audits performed on various products as per client-specific requirements.
The process of generating tickets has become much more efficient, especially for requests from roles like secretaries, IAS officers, or personnel in the government sector, which often demands quick reporting. This tool allows for the quick generation of reports after applying necessary filters. For instance, retrieving details on outdated assets or projects can happen swiftly as long as the patch management software and CMDB are current. However, I emphasize the importance of using genuine licensed products rather than attempting to use pirated versions.
Qualys Patch Management has significantly reduced overall risk in my organization, which I would quantify highly on a scale of one to ten.
Patch Management plays a role in risk reduction by directly addressing vulnerabilities; for instance, it showcases CVSS scores distinguishing which vulnerabilities are patched. Patch management applies updates promptly once vulnerabilities are identified, thus eliminating associated risks. Using the example of an iPhone, if the current version denotes a problem, it highlights the necessity for updates which are crucial for mitigating risks. Overall, Qualys Patch Management enables customers to receive comprehensive recommendations, streamlining what typically requires third-party auditing.
I utilize the risk reduction recommendation report in patch management; it indicates measurable security exposures. For example, if a high-risk exploitative vulnerability is detected, it prioritizes mitigation based on severity scores, facilitating quicker patch management actions. Post-verification allows for real-time updates on vulnerability statuses, reducing the need for subsequent audits or patch verifications. It shows near real-time metrics focusing on critical vulnerabilities before or after management takes place, alongside findable data on MTTR and patch compliance. Qualys VMDR and Patch Management support continuous verification, enabling measurable reduction in critical exposure, aiding prioritization efforts for true risk vulnerabilities.
Within our data centers, we integrate the solution with CMDB or ITSM tools for ticket management, utilizing asset tagging within CMDB. Asset tagging includes various factors like host names, IP addresses, operating systems, and environmental data concerning production or non-production scenarios. For any necessary patch management changes requiring workflow alignment, we can trace everything effectively under the CMDB.
From an audit perspective, the time savings depend on the tools used; for instance, using Qualys Patch Management compared to alternative tools saves considerable time on report creation and other lengthy processes. Patch management can take around twenty to seventy-two hours based on a CVSS score over nine for zero-day vulnerabilities, about seven days for high risks with scores of seven to eight point nine, and for low risks, patch management ranges from thirty to sixty days due to lower impact and lack of urgency from clients regarding low vulnerabilities.
I do use Patch Management with VMDR, so Qualys Patch Management is integrated with VMDR.
If we separate tool functionalities, one tool dedicated to patch management and another for vulnerability management can complicate things. But if we connect through APIs, maintaining a single platform saves a significant amount of time. A tool that handles assessment, reports, and remediation using a unified platform is beneficial for system integrators, clients, and engineers alike. Additionally, as a system integrator, I find that continuous vulnerability detection is effective through cloud agents and network scans, which also aids in ongoing monitoring.
Qualys Patch Management is utilized by approximately three hundred to five hundred individuals within government organizations. In the private sector, particularly among larger firms like the Big Four, this number can extend to around five to six thousand users.
The solution generally requires only licensing costs for maintenance. If you possess a valid license, you gain access to updates. Customer support is an add-on, so basic assistance comprises part of the license agreement.
I give the technical support a rating of ten out of ten.
I have already endorsed Qualys Patch Management to several public sector undertakings and private banks, as well as organizations associated with government certifications where the product is recognized on the whitelisted tools list for state data centers and SWANs in India. I have given this solution an overall rating of nine out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Hybrid Cloud
If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?
Other