Which of the following is a primary goal of patch management?

The primary goal of patch management is to reduce security vulnerabilities in software systems. This involves the systematic process of identifying, acquiring, installing, and verifying patches for software in order to fix vulnerabilities that could be exploited by attackers. By keeping software up to date with the latest security patches, organizations can protect their systems from potential threats, thereby maintaining the integrity and confidentiality of their data.

While enhancing software performance, maintaining regulatory compliance, and managing user access are important aspects of information systems and cybersecurity, they are secondary to the core goal of mitigating risk through patch management. Patches are specifically designed to close security gaps, ensuring that systems are resilient against exploitation and other cyber threats.