Approval Management

What Is Approval Management?

Approval Management in OneSite Patch automates the complex workflows of patch deployment approvals, enabling organizations to introduce human oversight without bottlenecks. By integrating approval chains directly into the patching process, it provides IT and security teams with the ability to evaluate, approve, and deploy patches with minimal delay.

Approval Chains allow teams to:

• Define multiple levels of approvals.
• Assign roles and responsibilities at each stage.
• Create fallback roles for unresponsive approvers.
• Ensure compliance with internal policies and external regulations.

This ensures that every patch is rigorously reviewed while still reaching endpoints quickly, reducing vulnerability windows and improving overall security posture.

How Does Approval Management Work?

At its core, the Approval Management feature in OneSite Patch simplifies and accelerates the approval process while maintaining granular control and visibility. Here's a closer look at its functionality:

Integrated Approval Workflows

Adaptiva integrates approvals into the patch deployment workflow itself, removing the need for back-and-forth communication outside the system. Deployment teams can initiate patches without manually seeking approvals, as approvers are notified and act within the same platform. Once approved, the patch is deployed immediately, ensuring no time is lost.

Customizable Approval Layers

 OneSite Patch allows organizations to configure multi-layered approval processes. For instance:

• A technical review by IT administrators may evaluate compatibility.
• A security layer may assess risk and compliance.
• A business owner review could prioritize patches based on department needs.

This layered approach ensures that all perspectives are accounted for without unnecessary delays.

Fallback Mechanisms

Approvers are not always available when needed. To address this, OneSite Patch includes:

• Backup roles: Secondary approvers step in if primary approvers are unavailable.
• Timeouts: Requests escalate automatically after specified periods, ensuring patches don't stall.

Transparent Notifications: Approvers receive detailed notifications tailored to organizational preferences, including via email, Microsoft Teams, or SMS. These notifications contain critical details about the patch, such as impacted systems and urgency, enabling informed decision-making.

Audit Trails and Compliance: Every action—approvals, rejections, and escalations—is logged within the system. This comprehensive audit trail supports compliance requirements and internal accountability, offering organizations peace of mind.

Why Approval Management Matters: Addressing Manual Approval Challenges

Manual approval processes, while intended to add security, often do the opposite by creating delays and inefficiencies:

• Delays extend vulnerability windows: Cybercriminals exploit known vulnerabilities at alarming speeds, and manual approvals can leave systems exposed.
• Scalability struggles: Larger organizations face an overwhelming volume of patches, making manual processes impractical.
• Lack of visibility: Without centralized tracking, teams struggle to monitor approval progress or enforce policies.

Approval Management in OneSite Patch eliminates these issues with automation, transparency, and integrated workflows.

The Unique Benefits of OneSite Patch Approval Management

Speed Meets Security: With OneSite Patch, there’s no trade-off between speed and security. Approvals are embedded within automated workflows, ensuring rapid deployment without bypassing critical evaluations.

Enhanced Collaboration: By bringing approvers directly into the system, OneSite Patch fosters better coordination between IT, security, and management teams. Clear notifications and tracking features keep everyone aligned.

Adaptable to Your Organization: The flexibility of Approval Chains allows organizations to mirror their unique approval hierarchies and policies. Whether you need unanimous approvals, majority rules, or role-based thresholds, OneSite Patch adapts to your needs.

Minimized Human Error: Automation reduces the chances of oversights or miscommunication, common pitfalls in manual approval processes. Features like reminders and fallback roles further safeguard the process.

Seamless Compliance: Organizations can meet internal and external compliance standards effortlessly, thanks to detailed logs and audit trails that document every approval action.

Setting a New Standard in Patch Management

Adaptiva’s Approval Management redefines how organizations handle patch approvals. By addressing the inefficiencies of manual workflows and integrating oversight into automated systems, OneSite Patch offers a balanced approach to speed and control. IT and security teams can now focus on what matters most—strengthening their defenses and ensuring uninterrupted operations.

Want to learn more about how OneSite Patch can elevate your patch management strategy? Request a demo or visit our knowledge base today.