Outdated software can pose a threat to your company’s data, systems, and overall bottom line. Not upgrading your software can leave you open to hackers with criminal intent.
You may not appreciate the value and importance of software upgrades to your company’s security, productivity, and profitability. You might think that your business is running “just fine” on those old Windows 98 computers and Office 2010, but just because they are still working does not necessarily mean they should still be working. So, why should you care and how can our computer support company protect your business and save you money with software upgrades? The answer lies in your bottom line.
Dangers of Avoiding Software Upgrades
Often, small businesses assume that no one would want to target your company, but that thinking could not be further from the truth. The days of annoying viruses sneaking into your system to cause some minor inconveniences are gone. Today, nearly all hacking and malware attacks are done for criminal purposes. Stealing passwords, banking information, personal identities, or intellectual property are all fair game. According to the cyber security firm Symantec, nearly one million new pieces of malware are released every day. Cyberattacks have risen 40% over the previous year alone, with five out of six large companies successfully being hacked.
Surprisingly, nearly 90% of system hacks use bugs that are 10 to 15 years old. Hackers know that companies are not very diligent about upgrading and protecting their systems, especially in smaller businesses without sophisticated systems. Tenacious hackers take advantage of these holes by using bugs that were developed when American Idol was still fresh and new.
Over time, vendors stop issuing updates for their older applications because most users have moved on to the latest versions. Hackers take advantage of missed security patches and outdated software programs in order to enter your system. You might as well put out a welcome mat because you are inviting hackers in to do whatever they please.
Keep Your Business on Track
Technology is like a constantly moving train. New programs come out constantly, and they are designed to work with everything that is moving forward with them. Older versions of programs start to get left behind and have a harder time keeping up with the newer, faster updates. Data can also be lost when you try to catch up with programs that are several versions ahead.
While most new programs are backward compatible, this does not last forever. For example, Office 2003 might work with Windows 10, but it is almost at the end of the compatibility line. You need your business to be aligned with the latest software, with systems in place to assure a timely, smooth transition as you update and move forward. This is why keeping your software updated is vital to keeping your business on track.
Downtime Equals Money
Outdated systems and software can lead to frequent and lengthy IT outages. One survey of 200 companies found that small enterprises lost an average of 14 hours of downtime and $55,000 in revenue per year. When systems stop working, your employees stop producing. This downtime tends to lead to workers searching out other co-workers, which can interfere with their productivity. It is a domino effect of lost profitability that can be reduced with an optimally running system. While the initial costs of life-cycle software upgrades can seem unnecessary, the hidden costs of not upgrading software are exponentially more expensive.
The importance of software upgrades is something you cannot ignore if you value your company’s security, productivity, and profitability. Our computer support company in Little Rock can provide your business with a virtual CIO that offers strategic IT analysis and management services to keep everyone in your office up-to-date. To learn more about staying on top of the computer upgrades needed for your business, contact Scale at 501-588-3199.
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