What functionality does AWS Systems Manager Patch Manager provide?

AWS Systems Manager Patch Manager provides the functionality to automate the patching of EC2 instances to maintain operational compliance. This service is integral for managing the security of your infrastructure by ensuring that operating systems and applications running on EC2 instances are up to date with the latest patches. Proper patch management helps mitigate vulnerabilities and maintain compliance with industry standards.

Patch Manager allows users to define patch baselines, which specify which patches should be approved for installation on the instances. It can automatically apply these patches during defined maintenance windows or as part of a broader automation strategy. This ensures that systems remain secure and compliant without manual intervention, streamlining the process significantly for administrators.

This focus on automated patching aligns with best practices in systems management, emphasizing operational integrity and security while reducing the administrative burden.