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Although patch management, vulnerability assessment and intrusion detection products gained a high profile in 2003, the evolution and maturation of tried-and-true management tools still garnered much attention.
This will likely go on in the coming year, when it seems that management platforms will continue to integrate hardware and software inventory, infrastructure management and software distribution tools.
The huge number of security exploits this year led to an unprecedented use of and demand for patching software. It also led to immeasurable frustration for IT managers, as patching a system often seemed to cause more problems than it solved.
The number of patch management systems available may actually decrease next year as patch management becomes integrated with software distribution systems.
We will also probably see more research going in to patch testing—which would generate a set of possible side effects.
Cameron Sturdevant has been with the Labs since 1997, and before that paid his IT management dues at a software publishing firm working with several Fortune 100 companies. Cameron also spent two years with a database development firm, integrating applications with mainframe legacy programs. Cameron's areas of expertise include virtual and physical IT infrastructure, cloud computing, enterprise networking and mobility, with a focus on Android in the enterprise. In addition to reviews, Cameron has covered monolithic enterprise management systems throughout their lifecycles, providing the eWEEK reader with all-important history and context. Cameron takes special care in cultivating his IT manager contacts, to ensure that his reviews and analysis are grounded in real-world concern. Cameron is a regular speaker at Ziff-Davis Enterprise online and face-to-face events. Follow Cameron on Twitter at csturdevant, or reach him by email at csturdevant@eweek.com.
