SAP’s July Security Patch Day arrived two weeks ago. It was substantial - 27 new security patches and three updates, which is about twice the usual number.
This will present quite a challenge to most organisations.
Managing security patches is a critical, yet resource-intensive part of an SAP team’s security efforts. Although swift implementation is highly advised, most organisations struggle to keep up.
SAP security notes are little black boxes of change, the impacts of which are unknown. To balance risk with speed, many SAP customers only apply the most serious, leaving others to be caught up in regular software updates.
SAP security teams must review each note, often multiple times, with each team examining it from their perspective. This requires significant time and resources, and it occurs before a single patch is even applied.
This is to ensure the note is relevant to their systems, won’t disrupt an otherwise stable environment, and can be tested effectively
Without clarity, IT teams waste time combing through each note, trying to determine if it’s relevant or can be safely ignored. Many SAP systems include installed components that aren’t actively used.
This causes delays and keeps the door to open to potential exploitation.
Perhaps the biggest roadblock to timely patching is the fear of breaking something in production. Because the actual impact of a patch is often unknown until it’s implemented, SAP teams proceed cautiously.
This means extensive regression testing, delayed deployments, and in some cases, skipping patches altogether.
Testing SAP patches can be a logistical nightmare. It’s rarely clear which business processes or applications are affected; identifying the right people to perform those tests is often a matter of guesswork.
This means testing is either too broad (and inefficient) or too narrow (and risky).
To help SAP customers arrive at a note application conclusion faster, smarterSec’s Patch Impact Analyser transforms patch management from an intensive mini project into a calculated, streamlined process.
Here’s how:
Clarity: Patch Impact Analyser automatically determines which SAP Security Notes are relevant to your environment based on your system configuration and installed components. This removes guesswork and ensures your team focuses only on what matters.
Forecasting: Before a single patch is deployed, the solution models its technical impact, identifying the affected objects, modules, and processes. This provides actionable insights into what could change, break, or require retesting, allowing for confident decision-making and minimising unplanned disruptions.
Targeted test planning: If testing is required, smarterSec pinpoints the specific business transactions, users, and scenarios that could be affected. It even helps identify the best people to test them. This ensures your QA effort is both practical and efficient.
Vulnerability: Patch Impact Analyser flags vulnerabilities in both active and inactive software components. This means dormant risks don’t get ignored, and your SAP landscape stays secure across the board.
Getting SAP security patches implemented as quickly and efficiently as possible is critical. As soon as SAP security notes are published, bad actors are sharing exploitation instructions; your systems are at risk.
#smarterSec’s Patch Impact Analyzer helps SAP teams get patches installed efficiently, faster, and with fewer post patch incidents.
If your team is navigating July’s 30 SAP security notes manually, it’s time to rethink your approach. smarterSec Patch Impact Analyzer offers the automation, clarity, and speed your SAP security team needs—not just this month, but every month.
In a world of ever-increasing cyber threats, staying current with SAP security patches isn’t optional — it’s essential. Yet the traditional approach is too slow, too vague, and too risky. smarterSec’s Patch Impact Analyzer cuts through the complexity, offering SAP customers a smarter, safer way to stay protected. With it, organisations can confidently patch faster, test smarter, and significantly reduce the risk of SAP system vulnerabilities.
Leg Up Software is an expert in SAP IT operational and infrastructure software automation solutions.
We know the SAP operations and infrastructure automation solutions landscape and have already done the legwork to identify the best available solutions.
Contact us to schedule a walkthrough of smarterSec Patch Impact Analyzer and see how it will accelerate your patching process and help your team keep your SAP systems safer.
Why not schedule a time to start the conversation by adding it to our calendar?