Potential Risks of Automatic Operating System Patch Deployment

D.

The automatic deployment of operating system patches is generally considered a best practice for maintaining a secure environment. However, the IS auditor must still evaluate whether the process is being carried out effectively and efficiently.

Option A: Patches are in conflict with current licensing agreements This option raises concerns regarding compliance and legal issues. If patches are deployed without proper licensing, the organization could face legal action and financial penalties. However, this concern is not related to information security procedures and is therefore not the greatest concern for the IS auditor in this context.

Option B: Patches are pushed from the vendor increasing Internet traffic This option raises concerns about the impact on network performance due to increased Internet traffic. However, this issue can be addressed through appropriate network planning and management, and is therefore not the greatest concern for the IS auditor in this context.

Option C: Patches are not reflected in the configuration management database This option raises concerns about the accuracy and completeness of the organization's configuration management database. Configuration management is essential for maintaining control over IT assets, including the management of patches. If patches are not recorded in the configuration management database, it becomes difficult to track changes and maintain an accurate inventory of the organization's IT assets. Therefore, this option is a concern, but it is not the greatest concern for the IS auditor in this context.

Option D: Patches are not tested before installation on critical servers This option is the greatest concern for the IS auditor. Patches that are not tested before installation on critical servers may cause system instability or other issues that could result in downtime or security breaches. Proper testing of patches is essential to ensure that they do not cause unintended consequences, such as interfering with the functioning of critical applications or introducing new vulnerabilities. Therefore, the greatest concern for the IS auditor in this context is the lack of testing before patch installation on critical servers.

In conclusion, while all the options listed above are valid concerns, the greatest concern for the IS auditor during the audit of information security procedures of a large retailer's online store, where OS patches are automatically deployed upon release, is the lack of testing before patch installation on critical servers.