Businesses are more dependent on software than ever before. This helps them stay competitive, meet customers' needs, and continue to grow their bottom lines.
However, most business software requires ongoing maintenance to keep working effectively — hence the need for software updates. Read on to learn why keeping your software updated is crucial.
Improved Security
Cyber threats are more dynamic than ever. Threat actors are always devising new methods to exploit vulnerabilities in software systems. Software developers understand this fact. Therefore, they work round the clock to plug vulnerabilities as they appear, including patches in new updates.
Failing to update your software exposes you to attacks that can lead to data breaches, financial losses, and significant damage to your brand’s reputation. Keeping up with software updates ensures better data protection and can help you avoid the erosion of customer trust.
Improved Functionality
Beyond security patches, software updates often feature subtle enhancements that make them a bit more useful. Some updates may contain new features that help streamline workflows, improve the user experience, or simplify certain business processes.
For example, an update to your task management software can include new collaboration tools or support for remote access.
Improved Efficiency
Software updates often feature performance enhancements, which reduce strain on computing resources. This can lead to faster operations, reduced downtime, and enhanced productivity. Employees or decision-makers will no longer endure outages or freezes while trying to get important work done.
How To Manage Updates Smoothly
Even when you know why keeping your software updated is crucial, you may still delay updates for too long because you don’t want to disrupt business operations. Thankfully, there are tried and tested approaches that can work here:
- Schedule updates for low-traffic periods. Low-traffic periods like overnight and weekends are some of the best times to complete software updates without the risk of disrupting business operations.
- Take advantage of automated update tools. Most software solutions have provisions for automated updates. This means they can download and install updates without manual intervention. This reduces the probability of mistakes in keeping up with newly released patches.
- Install updates in a sandbox environment. Before updating software that can disrupt business processes, it’s always best to test it out in a sandbox environment. This will help you identify any issues or strengthen your confidence in completing the update.
- Always maintain backups. Backups can help you avoid downtime and data loss when updates go wrong.
The Risks of Using Outdated Software
Susceptibility to cyber-attacks is the number one risk of using outdated software and why keeping your software updated is crucial. There’s no telling the security vulnerabilities threat actors will leverage to target your business. Secondly, using outdated software increases the risk of software compatibility issues. This can hamper operational efficiency.
Finally, software vendors often discontinue support for older software after a while. This doesn’t just mean a loss of access to critical updates; it also means you can’t get technical support when you need it, and you risk defaulting on compliance requirements. Update your software regularly to avoid these issues.
