Sherlocked Security – Virtual Patch Management

Proactively Mitigate Vulnerabilities and Secure Systems Without Disrupting Operations

1. Statement of Work (SOW)

Service Name: Virtual Patch Management
Client Type: Enterprises, Critical Infrastructure, Healthcare, Financial Institutions
Service Model: Project-Based Implementation & Ongoing Managed Service
Compliance Alignment: NIST 800-53, ISO/IEC 27001, PCI-DSS, HIPAA, CIS Controls

Service Scope Includes:

Identification and prioritization of unpatched vulnerabilities
Deployment of virtual patching solutions for critical systems and applications
Integration with vulnerability management tools and patch management systems
Customizable patching policies based on risk, system type, and business priority
Real-time vulnerability shielding without the need for downtime or system restarts
Continuous monitoring for new vulnerabilities and virtual patch effectiveness
Reporting on compliance and vulnerability remediation status

2. Our Approach

[Vulnerability Assessment] → [Virtual Patch Selection] → [Solution Implementation] → [Risk Mitigation] → [Ongoing Monitoring] → [Reporting & Documentation]

3. Methodology

Vulnerability Discovery & Risk Assessment
- Conduct an initial vulnerability scan to identify high-risk, unpatched vulnerabilities across your infrastructure
Virtual Patch Identification
- Leverage available virtual patching solutions to address vulnerabilities in critical applications, operating systems, and third-party software
Deployment Strategy & Tool Selection
- Choose appropriate virtual patch management tools that integrate with existing patch management solutions or vulnerability scanners (e.g., Trend Micro Deep Security, Qualys, Cisco Tetration)
Patch Deployment
- Apply virtual patches to vulnerable systems without requiring downtime or service interruption
Test & Validation
- Ensure virtual patches are correctly applied and do not interfere with system functionality or performance
Ongoing Monitoring & Real-Time Updates
- Continuously monitor for new vulnerabilities and deploy virtual patches as needed
Reporting & Compliance
- Generate vulnerability status reports, including virtual patching coverage and compliance with industry standards

4. Deliverables to the Client

Vulnerability Assessment Report: Summary of identified risks and unpatched vulnerabilities
Virtual Patch Strategy Document: Detailed plan for virtual patching deployment and priorities
Patch Deployment Logs: Evidence of virtual patch deployment and system impact testing
Compliance & Risk Remediation Report: Status on vulnerability remediation and security posture alignment with standards
Executive Summary: High-level report outlining the critical patches, security improvements, and ongoing strategy

5. What We Need from You (Client Requirements)

System Inventory: List of critical systems, applications, and their current patch management status
Vulnerability Scanning Reports: Latest vulnerability scans, including CVSS scores and risk assessment
Patch Management Platform Access: Integration details for your current patch management or vulnerability management systems
Access to IT & Security Teams: For collaboration on patch deployment and validation
Maintenance Window Preferences: Information about system downtime windows or acceptable impact levels

6. Tools & Technology Stack

Vulnerability Scanning & Assessment:
- Qualys, Tenable Nessus, Rapid7 Nexpose, Qualys VMDR
Virtual Patch Management:
- Trend Micro Deep Security, Cisco Tetration, McAfee Endpoint Security, Ivanti Patch Management
- Apatchi, Virtual Patching Solution Plugins
Compliance & Reporting:
- Splunk, Sumo Logic, Microsoft Power BI, Qualys QGS
Integration with Patch Management:
- WSUS, SCCM, ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus, Kaseya VSA

7. Engagement Lifecycle

Kickoff & Requirements Gathering
Vulnerability Assessment & Risk Prioritization
Solution Design & Tool Selection
Patch Deployment & Testing
Real-Time Monitoring & Vulnerability Shielding
Compliance & Risk Reporting
Ongoing Management & Remediation

8. Why Sherlocked Security?

Feature	Sherlocked Advantage
Non-Disruptive Security	Apply patches without downtime or system restarts
Seamless Integration	Works with existing patch management and vulnerability scanners
Customizable Policies	Tailor patching to business-critical systems, compliance needs, and risk levels
Continuous Monitoring	Real-time vulnerability detection and patch updates
Comprehensive Reporting	Full visibility into patching efforts, compliance, and security posture

9. Real-World Case Studies

Virtual Patch Management for Healthcare

Client: Large hospital network with vulnerable medical devices and critical systems
Challenge: Delayed patches due to patching window restrictions, risk of exploits in public-facing systems
Solution: Deployed virtual patches on critical systems, including medical devices and public-facing apps
Outcome: Reduced exploitation risk by 60% and maintained uninterrupted operations

Patch Deployment for Financial Services

Client: Global investment firm with a diverse tech stack
Challenge: Legacy systems with frequent CVEs and no easy patching window
Solution: Implemented Trend Micro Deep Security for virtual patching across critical financial applications
Outcome: Avoided system downtime during patch cycles, reducing cyber risk without disruption

10. SOP – Standard Operating Procedure

Vulnerability Scan: Perform a detailed scan of all critical systems and applications
Risk Assessment: Prioritize vulnerabilities based on CVSS score, exploitability, and business impact
Virtual Patch Deployment: Apply virtual patches using selected tools (e.g., Trend Micro, Ivanti)
Testing & Validation: Ensure virtual patches are applied successfully without service degradation
Ongoing Monitoring: Continuously monitor for new vulnerabilities and update virtual patches as needed
Report & Documentation: Generate periodic vulnerability and patch status reports for security teams

11. Readiness Checklist

1. Pre-Implementation

[ ] Complete inventory of critical systems and applications
[ ] Ensure vulnerability scans have been performed in the past 30 days
[ ] Define maintenance windows or acceptable impact levels
[ ] Confirm access to patch management and vulnerability management systems

2. During Engagement

[ ] Conduct vulnerability assessment for all critical systems
[ ] Apply virtual patches based on risk level and priority
[ ] Validate patching effectiveness with no operational disruption
[ ] Continuously monitor for emerging vulnerabilities and patch requirements

3. Post-Engagement

[ ] Provide patch deployment logs and validation results
[ ] Schedule regular vulnerability scans and patch reviews
[ ] Generate executive reports on patching status and risk mitigation
[ ] Recommend enhancements for the patching and vulnerability management process

Virtual Patch Management