What is the primary goal of a patch management process?

The primary goal of a patch management process is to ensure that software updates and patches effectively fix vulnerabilities. This process is critical for maintaining the security and integrity of systems and applications. By regularly applying patches, organizations can protect their systems from known vulnerabilities that could be exploited by malware or other malicious actors. Patching helps to safeguard sensitive data, comply with regulatory requirements, and ensure that software operates reliably.

Enhancing software installation speed, increasing hardware performance, and monitoring network traffic are important aspects of IT management, but they do not directly relate to the core function of patch management. The focus of patch management is on security and vulnerability mitigation rather than improving installation processes or hardware capabilities.