The question asks for the best practice solution for implementing application security updates across an enterprise network. Automating the patching process is the industry standard for ensuring updates are deployed consistently, efficiently, and in a timely manner to all endpoints. This method minimizes the window of vulnerability that exists between the release of a patch and its application, significantly enhancing device security. Manual patching is prone to human error and is not scalable for an enterprise environment, making automation the superior solution.

B. Monitor the firewall configuration: This is a network security control measure, not a method for deploying application updates on individual endpoints.

C. Implement access control lists: ACLs are used to manage permissions and filter network traffic, which is unrelated to the process of installing software patches.

D. Document all changes: While change documentation is a critical part of IT governance and a best practice, it is a procedural step, not the technical solution for implementing the updates themselves.

1. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). (2022). Guide to Enterprise Patch Management Technologies (Draft). NIST Special Publication 800-40r4. In Section 3.1

"Automated Patch Distribution

" the document states

"Automated patch distribution is a key component of enterprise patch management. It is the process of pushing patches down to clients automatically..." This highlights automation as a core technology for enterprise patching.

2. Microsoft. (2023). Automatically deploy software updates. Microsoft Learn | Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager Documentation. This official vendor documentation details the creation of automatic deployment rules (ADRs)

stating

"Use automatic deployment rules (ADR) to deploy required software updates... This deployment method is useful because you don't need to add new updates to the deployment as they're released." This exemplifies an automated solution for enterprise updates.

3. Alberts

C.

& Dorofee

A. (2004). Defining an Enterprise-Level Patch and Vulnerability Management Program. Carnegie Mellon University

Software Engineering Institute. CMU/SEI-2004-TN-036. Section 3.2

"Patch Deployment

" discusses the necessity of tools for patch deployment

noting that "automated tools are available to assist in this process

" which is essential for enterprise-scale operations.