Risk based approach is the key to this, you'll need to assess the risk of both, based on the result you could decide which one to prioritize. I recommend the following: 1- If the patch is critical, prioritize it's deployment, even if it means delaying non-critical maintenance tasks. 2- If the maintenance is critical, consider applying the patch during a maintenance time or a less critical time, but ofcourse good and efficient security controls needs to be in place.

Assess the urgency and potential impact of the patches versus the maintenance tasks. Address critical security vulnerabilities immediately, as they pose direct risks to business operations. Coordinate with stakeholders to reschedule less critical maintenance if necessary, ensuring alignment with business needs. Use automation and rollback plans to minimize downtime during patching. Communicate transparently about the priorities and timelines, maintaining a balance between security imperatives and operational continuity.

A good practice is to first run patch updates in the non-production environment to test nothing breaks before running in the production. For an urgent patch that falls outside the regular maintenance window, firstly identify the affected systems and the owners. Then engage with them to convey the urgency to mitigate imminent cybersecurity risk. Then plan with them optimal time frame that will have least adverse impact on customers e.g. out of office hours. Send out notification to the affected users with a clear time frame of the activity. Before patching, ensure to take full backup in case you have to rollback.

When urgent patches collide with scheduled maintenance, prioritization is key. Start by assessing the impact: if the patch addresses a critical vulnerability, it takes precedence. Coordinate with stakeholders to adjust the maintenance schedule if necessary, ensuring clear communication about the changes. Whenever possible, align the urgent patch with the existing maintenance window to minimize disruptions. In my experience, transparency and adaptability are essential to balance these priorities while maintaining trust and system stability.

To manage urgent patches and scheduled maintenance, assess the impact and urgency of each task. Prioritize security-critical patches to prevent vulnerabilities, while rescheduling less critical maintenance to avoid disruption. Use change management processes to communicate with stakeholders and minimize conflicts. Leverage automation tools for patch deployment and monitor systems in real-time to ensure stability. Maintain a detailed maintenance calendar to plan ahead and balance immediate needs with long-term goals.

Patches urgentes e Patches programadas são realidade na vida do Gestor de Segurança da Informação. A solução para esta questão exige uma preparação prévia antes deste fato ocorrer. È necessário uma Gestão de Micro Riscos Operacionais. Avaliar a manutenção de Patches programadas, também exige uma Avaliação de Riscos. Desta maneira quando chegar uma Patch Urgente, fica mais possível fazer a Gestão de Riscos desta Pache Urgente com a Programada. Também é fundamental definir conceitos de Urgente pois temos situações de Emergência. Muitas vezes o Urgente pode esperar. Uma Emergência tem que ser implementada de imediato.

Urgent patches mean if not apply will have major impact to the system, therefore it should have higher priority than scheduled maintenance. Define clearly what is urgent patches, scheduled maintenance, feature updates, product upgrades will save time on argument.

In order to manage competing demands for immediate patches against the backdrop of advance-planned maintenance, a risk-oriented strategy is embraced. The relevance and importance of each patch is scored against those issues that affect our industry and its operating environment. Focus is put on patches that resolve any business critical vulnerability with a reasonable likelihood of being exploited. Adjustments to the averages are made to reduce interference with business activities, but the business must still be maintained. The importance of communication with stakeholders cannot be neglected as common understanding and effective seize of opportunities is assured.

Balancing urgent patches with scheduled maintenance comes down to clear prioritization and risk management. I’d start by assessing the impact and urgency of each patch. If it addresses critical vulnerabilities, it needs to be prioritized to protect the business. For less urgent patches, I’d look to integrate them into the scheduled maintenance plan to minimize disruption. Communication is key here. We need to align with stakeholders on risks and timelines, keep everyone informed, and manage expectations. The goal is to handle the urgent without compromising long-term stability, keeping systems secure and operations smooth.

The process involves clear communication with all affected stakeholders, sending notifications about the planned changes and potential impact. Before applying patches, snapshots or backups are taken to ensure rollback options are in place in case of unexpected issues. Patches are first tested in a staging or test environment to confirm stability. Maintenance is rescheduled if necessary to avoid overlap or downtime. After deployment, systems are monitored for any issues, and a summary is shared to keep everyone updated.