The Problem with Running Outdated Software

Given the latest WannaCryRansomware epidemic, which infected more than 230,000 users in over 150 countries, it’s vitally important that organizations fully understand the risks associated with using out-of-date systems and software.

Why Do We Resist the Upgrade?

Change can sometimes be unnerving. It requires a bit of adjusting and is often times considered best avoided, especially when it comes to upgrading functioning production software. There is an understandable resistance to upgrading software where the version in use is familiar, well understood and from a functionality standpoint, isn’t actually broken. Unfortunately, the same software is well known to hackers. They’ve had plenty of time to get well accustomed with software that’s been around for years.

There are also associated costs to consider. Both the financial costs of course, but also resource costs and the potential changes required to the prevailing infrastructure.

At best this can lead to procrastination at worst complete avoidance.

So why bother with upgrades? Aside from any new and cool features that may be on offer, equally compelling is the need to resolve known vulnerabilities. Gartner estimate that over 99% of all published breaches in 2016 exploited known vulnerabilities!

NNT whitepaper: Outdated Software Whitepaper »