1- Servers hosting mission-critical applications, databases, or sensitive information. Systems directly exposed to the internet, such as web servers, firewalls, and VPN gateways, which are often targeted by attackers. 2- Devices used by administrators, IT staff, and executives with elevated permissions, as they present a higher risk if compromised. 3- Devices processing or storing regulated data, such as financial records or customer information which require robust protection. 4- Any system with known vulnerabilities actively exploited in the wild, based on threat intelligence or vendor advisories. 5- Laptops and mobile devices used by remote workers that interacts external networks and are more susceptible to compromise.

Adhering to industry best practices is crucial for maintaining a secure environment. To achieve this, all systems must be kept up to date, with a priority placed on deploying critical updates across all network systems.

1. Security Devices: Firewalls, IDS/IPS. 2. Critical Servers: Domain controllers, email, web, file, and database servers. 3. Endpoint Protection: Antivirus and endpoint security software. 4. Network Devices: Switches, routers, and wireless access points. 5. User Devices: Admin and high-privilege user systems. Standard employee systems. 6. Peripheral Devices: Printers and IoT devices.

1-employee workstations : as it will be updated one by one so we can uninstall updates in case of failure. 2-servers 3-network

There is no specific answer to this as it depends on multiple factors. But all updates (even critical ones) should first be installed on a non-prod env or less critical workloads to make sure the critical update is not causing more issues. Even in a prod env with critical workloads the updates should be installed in a staggered approach with at each stage checking the logs and metrics. With proper planning and automation you'd still be able to do this quite quickly. PS: always backup/snapshot critical systems before patching!

Prioritization Order: * Servers & Critical Systems: These are the foundation of operations. Prioritize updates for servers like domain controllers, file servers, database servers, virtualization hosts, email servers, and application servers. * Network Devices: Network devices (routers, switches, firewalls, load balancers, VPNs) form the communication backbone. Their vulnerability can compromise the entire network. * Employee Workstations: While important, workstation updates can be prioritized after servers and network devices. Consider a phased rollout, starting with critical workstations.

Prioritize the installation of critical updates in remote endpoints and suspend any other rollups or optional updates to ensure that the endpoints have been patched with the necessary updates.

Depending on the criticality of the system in question, the safest answer is probably the sandbox environment. Testing updates here allows us to ensure the updates don't do more harm than good and minimize the disruption in the production environment

1. To secure devices that is connected to open web. So network and switches and firewall first. This ensures no compromise with outer world 2. Servers and critical systems 3. Workstations with latest updates

Always servers first since they control everything, then network devices and then lastly the users workstations and laptops...