Security patch management is a process of identifying, acquiring, testing, deploying, and verifying patches or updates for software systems or applications to fix security vulnerabilities or bugs. The most critical success factor in the security patch management process is to perform a risk and impact analysis before applying any patches or updates. A risk and impact analysis helps to evaluate the severity and urgency of the patch or update, the potential threats and consequences of not applying the patch or update, and the possible side effects or disruptions of applying the patch or update. A risk and impact analysis can help to prioritize, plan, and implement the patch or update in a timely and effective manner, while minimizing the risks and impacts to the system or application. Tracking and reporting on inventory, supporting documentation, and management review of reports are also important factors in the security patch management process, but they are not as critical as the risk and impact analysis. References: CISSP All-in-One Exam Guide, Eighth Edition, Chapter
21: Software Development Security, page 1181; CISSP Official (ISC)2 Practice Tests, Third Edition, Domain
8: Software Development Security, Question 8.10, page 304.