The shift to monthly security patching for Adobe Commerce is one of the most significant changes to the platform in recent years. Adobe now releases security updates on the second Tuesday of each month, aligning with global cybersecurity standards and responding to a rapidly changing threat landscape.
For commerce businesses, this change has real operational implications. It means more frequent deployment cycles, more structured release planning, and a more deliberate approach to deciding which patches are truly essential and which can be scheduled into a broader release plan.
But the bigger picture is this: website security is no longer a technical choice. It is a core business risk decision.
Why Monthly Patching Now Matters
The online environment has changed. Cyber-attacks are more frequent, more organised and more financially motivated than ever. eCommerce websites, particularly those handling payments and customer data, are prime targets.
Platform vulnerabilities are actively exploited within days of becoming public knowledge. Attackers do not wait. The gap between a patch being released and a business applying it is often where breaches occur.
As Tanya Peasgood, Head of Consultancy at Williams Commerce, puts it:
“Security patching used to be something you planned once or twice a year. That world has gone. Today, attackers automate. They scan for known weaknesses. The longer a site remains unpatched, the more the risk increases. Monthly patching is simply the reality of responsible platform ownership.”
The Operational Reality
Effective patching is not a single action. It is a workflow:
- Reviewing release notes and security advisories
- Assessing risk and relevance
- Applying patches to development environments
- Testing custom modules, extensions and integrations
- UAT and regression testing
- Deploying to production with monitored rollback capability
Based on typical Adobe Commerce builds, this represents around 75 hours of work per year for scheduled patches alone. For sites with complex B2B workflows, multi-store setups or custom ERP integrations, the required effort may be higher.
Then there are unscheduled emergency patches. Zero-day vulnerabilities do not wait for monthly release cycles. When one appears, businesses must act fast.
This is why monthly patching should be seen as the baseline, not the full scope.
The Question Many Businesses Are Asking
Do we really need to apply every patch?
Not always. And not immediately.
Security patches are targeted at specific vulnerabilities. Whether a vulnerability actually places your business at risk depends on:
- The modules and features you use
- How your admin access is managed
- Your network and hosting setup
- The controls you already have in place
This is where strategic decision-making becomes critical. Some patches must be deployed immediately. Others can be grouped and handled in scheduled quarterly release windows.
The key is risk-based prioritisation, not guesswork, habit, or panic-driven deployments.
How Williams Commerce Helps Clients Make Informed Decisions
We work with clients to adopt sustainable, risk-led patching strategies:
- Monthly Security Assessment
We review each Adobe release and assess the relevance to your platform.
- Risk Scoring
We identify which vulnerabilities require immediate action and which can be scheduled.
- Deployment Planning
We create patching windows aligned to your trading calendar, peak seasons and change-freeze periods.
- Defence in Depth
We help clients implement layered security controls such as improved admin access, WAF configuration and intrusion monitoring so security does not depend solely on patching speed.
Tanya explains:
“The right patching schedule is the one that protects the business without disrupting it. Our role is to help clients understand real-world risk, not to simply say yes to every update because it is easier. Smart decisions are informed decisions.”
At Williams Commerce, our Adobe Commerce support services help clients assess each patch, prioritise risk and deploy updates in a structured and sustainable way.
Building a Sustainable Patching Model
Businesses that thrive under the monthly patching model do the following consistently:
Requirement | Why it matters |
Clear ownership and responsibilities | Avoids delays and confusion at deployment time |
Documented deployment procedures | Reduces error rates and regression issues |
Representative staging environments | Ensures testing reflects real behaviour |
Automated test coverage | Speeds validation and reduces manual effort |
Realistic annual security budgeting | Prevents security becoming an “unplanned cost” |
Treat monthly patching as ongoing operational maintenance, not one-off project work.
For more complex platforms, our Adobe Commerce development and maintenance teams ensure custom modules and integrations are fully tested before deployment.
The Strategic Bottom Line
Adobe Commerce has moved to monthly patching because the threat environment demands it. Commerce platforms are high-value targets. Vulnerabilities are continuous. And businesses that fall behind accumulate risk debt that becomes more expensive and more visible over time.
This is no longer a conversation about if you should implement security patching. It is a conversation about how you implement patching sustainably.
If you are unsure where your site stands today, a platform security audit provides clarity on risks, patch levels and priority actions.
If you would like to understand what monthly patching means for your site, your risk profile and your support budget, we are ready to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What does monthly patching actually mean for my Adobe Commerce site?
Adobe now releases security patches on a monthly cycle. This means your site may require more frequent updates to stay protected against newly discovered vulnerabilities. Patching involves reviewing, testing and deploying updates to ensure your platform remains secure and stable.
2. Do I need to install every patch immediately?
Not always. Some patches address critical vulnerabilities and should be prioritised, while others may be low risk depending on your setup. At Williams Commerce, we assess each release and help you decide which patches require immediate deployment and which can be scheduled into planned release cycles.
3. What happens if I delay patching?
Delaying patches increases exposure to known vulnerabilities. These can be actively scanned and exploited by attackers. The risk grows over time, which can lead to compromised customer data, downtime or full site breaches. Regular patching helps protect your revenue and your reputation.
4. Will patching disrupt my website or customers?
Patching is planned and tested in controlled staging environments before it goes live. With a structured deployment process, downtime can be minimal or avoided entirely. The key is having a clear process in place rather than reacting in emergency mode.
5. How much should we budget annually for Adobe Commerce maintenance?
A typical site requires around 75 hours of scheduled patching and testing annually, though highly customised or multi-store environments may need more. We help businesses forecast realistic ongoing maintenance costs as part of responsible platform ownership.
6. Can Williams Commerce manage patching for us?
Yes. We offer several levels of support, from fully managed monthly patching to advisory and scheduled quarterly deployment programmes. We work with you to define the right approach for your risk profile, internal capacity and operational priorities.
