LONDON -- Centennial Software today warned users of Microsoft Windows not to underestimate the importance of deploying the latest fixes across their entire Windows PC estate. The fixes, numbered MS07-17 through MS07-21, were considered so serious by Microsoft that the vendor broke its own 'Patch Tuesday' cycle to release the patches early.

However, Centennial believes that the majority of large networks will continue to be at risk, even after network administrators think they have deployed the patch.

"The main problem is that network owners typically have no way of seeing how many PCs are actually affected before deploying a patch, and as such cannot have any confidence that the fix has worked," said Andy Burton, CEO of Centennial Software. "In order to get that level of comfort, administrators need to see up front how many PCs have the vulnerability and then cross-check the results after the deployment."

Centennial, a developer of IT asset discovery and security solutions, has announced that its Security.Advisor module for Centennial Discovery is able to detect the latest vulnerabilities across Windows networks and can accurately report whether subsequent patching was successful.

"People need to change their perception of patch management," continued Burton. "Deploying patches shouldn't be a 'fire and forget' exercise. Administrators need a current and accurate inventory of the network to ensure that fixes aren't disappearing into a black hole and that any vulnerabilities on network endpoints are being addressed in a timely fashion."

Centennial Software Ltd.

Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT)