A vendor can push through a software update that compromises your network security by opening up sensitive data to the wrong people. Test any update before rolling it out in a controlled environment (staging) for detecting vulnerability early on. Demand that the vendor release detailed release notes along with its security assessments. Surround your network with multi-layered barriers to reduce the risk and impact of any potential breach. Lastly, make sure to keep an eye on your systems in the immediate aftermath of applying the update for signs of abnormal activity and prepare a rollback plan. Your best defense is being aware and ready.

In my approach to handling vendor software updates that might impact network security, I take a proactive stance, drawing from my experience with BAE Systems’ robust Vendor Risk Management (VRM) practices. I start by conducting a thorough risk assessment, identifying sensitive data that could be affected, and evaluating threats before updates are deployed. I also advocate for testing updates in secure environments to ensure no vulnerabilities slip through. Continuous monitoring is key, so I keep a close eye on network activity for any unusual behavior. By working closely with vendors and prioritizing a risk-first approach, I aim to ensure sensitive data remains uncompromised.

To safeguard sensitive data, encrypt data at rest with AES-256 and in transit using TLS. Use strong hashing algorithms like bcrypt or Argon2 for passwords, and ensure proper access controls. Continuously monitor for vulnerabilities, apply patches, and manage encryption keys securely to protect against risks from vendor updates.

First, before we apply the update on the production environment, we should test any software on the sandbox or testing environment. This approach will help us to make sure that all software works as expected. Second, if something happened to some of the production software, then we should have plan B or workaround till we can downgrade the software from the impacted version.