Why It’s Important To Keep Software Up To Date

Technology is a core part of modern businesses. Employees may use everything from laptops to mobile phones for routine tasks, requiring a wide range of software. Yet, nearly one third of SMBs and enterprises still admit to using outdated software. Not only are they missing out on the latest features and bug fixes, but it’s also a significant security risk. That’s why it’s important to keep software up to date.

Table of Contents

What Is a Software Update?
Types of Software Updates
How Up-To-Date Software Boosts Cybersecurity
Updates Also Improve Performance and Compatibility
The Challenges of Managing Updates
Manual vs. Automatic Updates: What’s Best for You?
The Risks of Outdated Software
Best Practices for Keeping Your Software Up To Date
How to Check if Your Software is Up to Date
Let ITonDemand Help Manage Your Software Updates

What Is a Software Update?

A software update is when the software on your device has an available update with new fixes, features, or other types of changes. These are available through optional downloads. This is often the only way software providers can fix new security issues. Users who don’t download those updates are otherwise left vulnerable.

Types of Software Updates

Software updates come in different types, each with a unique role in keeping systems secure, functional, and fast. While there are different reasons for a patch to be deployed, these are the three most common ones:

1. Security Updates: Patches protect against threats by fixing weak spots that hackers might exploit. These are crucial for keeping data safe and should be applied as soon as they’re available. Ignoring them leaves systems vulnerable to attack since the hole already exists.
2. Feature Updates: Improving existing software can make it more useful. These changes might include interface adjustments, quality-of-life features, or new additions that expand how it works. While they aren’t as urgent as security ones, they can add new functions and boost productivity.
3. Performance Updates: These are more technical by improving backend speed and stability. They fix bugs and can even help prevent crashes or slowdowns. Though they don’t usually bring new features, performance patches keep the software running smoothly for a better user experience.

Each type can help software stay more secure, efficient, and reliable, enhancing safety and usability. Larger patches may offer improvements in all three areas simultaneously.

How Up-To-Date Software Boosts Cybersecurity

Keeping software up to date is one of the best ways to defend against cyber threats. Most updates include security patches that fix vulnerabilities in older versions. Without these patches, outdated software can be an easy target for cyberattacks. Hackers can use weaknesses in unpatched software to carry out ransomware attacks, data breaches, or install malicious software. Regularly downloading updates, such as through antivirus software, reduces the risk of cybercriminals.

The updated software also protects against newer threats, such as zero-day exploits. These attacks take advantage of security gaps that are discovered before a fix is available. Updates fix issues and may add security features, like encryption and authentication, to guard against unpredictable threats. Using up-to-date software from trusted sources builds stronger defenses against malware and other risks, keeping data safe and secure.

Updates Also Improve Performance and Compatibility

Software updates aren’t just about security; they also fix bugs and boost performance. Over time, software can develop issues that lead to slowdowns or other system problems. Patches address these problems, improving stability and resource efficiency. With fewer interruptions and improved usability, updated software minimizes workflow disruptions. Considering an average of 720 hours a year are lost to distractions, little issues can quickly add up.

Updates also help software stay compatible with various tools and devices. As new technologies are released, compatibility issues are becoming increasingly common. That’s because developers must support a wide range of devices across different hardware generations. Patches and hotfixes often include fixes to solve unusual problems. Downloading them proactively reduces the chance of lost productivity and ensures a smoother experience.

The Risks of Outdated Software

Outdated software can introduce a range of risks, from security vulnerabilities to operational inefficiencies:

• Security Vulnerabilities: Older software versions often miss critical security patches, making them prime targets for cybercriminals. Hackers exploit known vulnerabilities in outdated systems to install malware, steal data, or gain unauthorized access to networks.
• Data Breaches: Outdated software weakens your defenses, increasing the risk of data breaches. Leaked information can lead to potential legal, financial, and reputational damage.
• System Issues: As technology advances, outdated software becomes less compatible with newer hardware and applications. This often results in system crashes, slowdowns, and productivity disruptions, impacting overall efficiency.
• Non-Compliance: Many industries require up-to-date systems to meet specific compliance standards. Running outdated software can lead to non-compliance, resulting in regulatory fines, penalties, and even the loss of business licenses or certifications.
• Increased Maintenance Costs: Old software may require more frequent fixes and workarounds to stay operational. Over time, these maintenance needs can add up, costing more in time and resources than simply updating the software.
• Reduced Functionality: Software updates often include new features, improved usability, and performance enhancements. Users miss out on valuable tools that can boost productivity and streamline workflows by not updating.
• Loss of Vendor Support: Providers eventually stop supporting older versions, which means no more updates, security patches, or customer assistance. Businesses using unsupported software face greater security risks and lack access to help if issues arise.

Regular updates are essential for reducing these risks and keeping systems secure, stable, and efficient while accessing the latest features and support.

The Challenges of Managing Updates

Managing software updates can be a complex process, especially for businesses with a lot of staff and devices. While they are essential for security and performance, keeping them organized and applied consistently presents several challenges:

• Frequency of Updates: Deploying patches can be tricky, especially across a wide range of devices. IT teams often face the challenge of keeping up with frequent updates that arrive from various vendors, each on its schedule.
• Compatibility Issues: Updates don’t always work smoothly with every system. That is especially true for setups that use custom or older software. If they aren’t tested first, they can interrupt workflows, causing crashes or even data loss.
• Disruption from Downtime: Many updates require system restarts or short periods of downtime. Finding the best time can be challenging for businesses that operate 24/7. Delaying them, however, may leave systems vulnerable.
• Limited Resources: Small IT teams or companies with limited resources may struggle with keeping everyone’s devices and software up to date. This can result in delayed patches, which may create security risks.
• Compliance Requirements: Some industries require regular updates to meet security standards. Keeping up with these standards can be difficult, especially if each patch needs to be tested and reviewed before being deployed company-wide.
• User Resistance: Users may resist updates because of changes to features or concerns about disruptions. This hesitation can slow down the process, making it harder for IT teams to keep systems secure and up to date.
• Tracking and Auditing: For security and compliance, tracking updates is essential. However, recording which ones are done, identifying those still needed, and auditing the process can be time-consuming and complex.

Effectively managing updates requires balancing staying current with patches and maintaining system stability. Addressing these challenges can improve organizations’ update processes and keep systems secure and functional.

Manual vs. Automatic Updates: What’s Best for You?

Considering the risks of ignoring software updates, automatic updates are the best choice for most people. They ensure that your software gets the latest security patches and improvements as soon as they’re released, helping protect against cyber threats and keeping you in line with security standards. Automatic updates also save time and reduce the risk of missing essential fixes.

However, manual updates might still be helpful in some cases. For example, businesses using custom or older software may need to test them beforehand to ensure they’re compatible. IT teams managing complex setups might also prefer manual updates to avoid sudden changes.

Best Practices for Keeping Your Software Up To Date

Staying current with software updates is vital to keeping your systems secure, efficient, and up-to-date with the latest features. Here are some best practices to help manage updates effectively:

1. Enable Automatic Updates: Automatic updates are the easiest way to keep software current. Enable automatic updates on your operating system, apps, and devices where possible. This approach helps ensure you get essential security patches without needing to check manually.
2. Set Regular Update Checks: Schedule regular checks for software that doesn’t support automatic updates. Weekly or monthly reminders can help you keep up with manual updates, especially for critical applications. More frequent checks may be necessary for high-risk devices, like work computers or mobile devices.
3. Prioritize Security Updates: Security updates are crucial, as they address vulnerabilities that hackers might exploit. When an update specifically mentions a security fix, make it a priority to install. Staying up to date on these patches is one of the best ways to keep your systems secure.
4. Test Updates Before Rollout: Businesses using specialized or custom software may want to test updates before a full rollout. IT teams can quickly catch compatibility issues by testing in a controlled environment. This approach prevents disruptions in daily workflows, especially with essential software.
5. Update All Devices: Secondary devices like smart TVs, routers, and IoT gadgets often get overlooked. If left unpatched, these devices can be entry points for cyberattacks. Make it a routine to check for updates on all connected devices, not just primary systems.
6. Use a Software Management Tool: Managing many devices and apps can be challenging. Software management tools help by tracking versions, automating updates where possible, and reminding you of pending updates. These tools make it easier for organizations to oversee updates across an entire network.
7. Stay Informed on Support and End-of-Life Dates: Eventually, vendors stop supporting older software versions, meaning there will be no more updates or patches. Stay informed about the end-of-life dates for your software. When it reaches that point, plan to upgrade or replace it to avoid the risks of unsupported software.
8. Review Update Settings Regularly: Occasionally, review update settings on all devices. Settings can change after significant updates, so it’s a good idea to double-check that automatic updates are enabled and that you’re alerted about critical patches.

Following these practices helps reduce vulnerabilities, improve system performance, and keep your software operating reliably.

How to Check if Your Software is Up to Date

As we’ve discussed, ensuring your software is up to date is essential for security and performance. While specific steps vary by device, here’s a general guide for checking if your software is current across most common platforms. When in doubt, consult with an IT expert for help.

Windows Devices

On Windows, keeping software updated is typically managed through Windows Update, but individual applications may require separate checks.

• System Updates: Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update. Click on Check for updates to see if any new system updates are available.
• App Updates: For apps installed through the Microsoft Store, open the Microsoft Store app, click on the three dots in the upper-right corner, select Downloads and Updates, and then choose Get updates. For non-Store apps, look in the settings of each app to find update options.

macOS Devices

On a Mac, both system and app updates are managed through the System Settings and App Store.

• System Updates: Go to the Apple menu > System Preferences > Software Update. The system will check for any available macOS updates.
• App Updates: Open the App Store, click Updates in the sidebar, and apply any available updates. Check each app’s preferences or help menu for non-App Store apps to find update options.

iOS Devices (iPhone & iPad)

Apple devices generally keep software up to date automatically, but it’s good to check manually now and then.

• System Updates: Go to Settings > General > Software Update to see if a new iOS or iPadOS version is available.
• App Updates: Open the App Store, tap your profile icon, and scroll down to see available app updates. Tap Update All to apply them.

Android Devices

Android settings can vary slightly between manufacturers, but you can check for updates from the general settings menu.

• System Updates: Go to Settings > System > System Update and tap Check for Updates to see if a new version of Android is available for your device.
• App Updates: Open the Google Play Store, tap your profile icon > Manage Apps & Device, and select Updates Available. From there, you can update apps individually or all at once.

Let ITonDemand Help Manage Your Software Updates

Keeping software up to date is essential for protecting your business from cyber threats, improving performance, and minimizing downtime. With ITonDemand, you don’t have to manage updates alone. Our team keeps your software current, secure, and optimized, letting you focus on your business with confidence. Reach out today to see how ITonDemand can support your IT needs and keep your systems running smoothly.

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