The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has instructed agencies to adopt a more strategic approach to patching vulnerabilities, rather than simply trying to patch everything as quickly as possible. This shift in strategy is driven by the increasing speed and effectiveness of attackers, who are now exploiting vulnerabilities at a faster rate than ever before. According to Verizon's 2026 Data Breach Investigations Report, organizations fully remediated only 26% of exploited vulnerabilities last year, with a median closure time of 43 days1. This highlights the need for a more targeted and efficient patching process, focusing on the most critical vulnerabilities first. As CISA's guidance is likely to influence broader industry practice, security teams should prioritize vulnerability management and develop more effective strategies for mitigating potential threats. This matters to practitioners because a more effective patching strategy can significantly reduce the risk of a successful attack, making it a critical component of any organization's cybersecurity posture.