How Often Should UK Businesses Patch Their Software?
A clear, direct answer to this question — written for UK business owners and IT decision-makers.
Direct Answer
Cyber Essentials requires all operating systems and applications to be patched within 14 days of a security update being released. Critical vulnerabilities should be patched within 24 hours where possible. AMVIA automates patch management for all managed endpoints, ensuring compliance with Cyber Essentials and reducing your attack surface continuously.
Key Points
What you need to know.
The Short Answer
A concise overview of what you need to know.
For UK Businesses
How this applies specifically in the UK context.
Cost Considerations
What to expect in terms of investment and ongoing costs.
Next Steps
What you should do with this information.
Quick Comparison
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. 50% of small businesses (10-49 employees) reported a cybersecurity breach in 2025. UK small businesses face around 65,000 hack attempts daily, with approximately 4,500 successful breaches. More than a quarter of SMBs say a single cyber attack could put them out of business entirely.
Phishing is the most common attack type, identified by 85% of businesses that experienced a breach (DSIT 2025). Phishing accounts for 93% of cyber crimes against businesses. AI-powered phishing has driven a 204% increase in phishing emails delivering malware in 2025.
Organisations with Cyber Essentials certification are 92% less likely to make a claim on their cyber insurance. Certification is mandatory for UK government contracts involving sensitive data. Only 3% of UK businesses are currently certified, giving certified businesses a competitive advantage.
The first hour after detection is considered the golden hour that determines outcome severity. Organisations that detect breaches internally save an average of $900,000 in costs. Only 22% of UK businesses have a formal cybersecurity incident management plan in place.
The average cost of the most disruptive breach is £3,550 for UK businesses. For businesses that experienced negative outcomes such as data loss or financial theft, the average cost rises to £8,260. Medium and large businesses face average costs of £10,830 per disruptive incident.
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Related Questions
Cyber Essentials Certification
AMVIA's managed Cyber Essentials service — gap assessment, remediation, and certification at a fixed price.
Managed IT Support
AMVIA automates patch management for all managed endpoints as part of the fully managed IT service.
Endpoint Security Service
EDR-based endpoint protection that works alongside patch management to reduce your attack surface.