Advantages of Keeping IT Equipment Updated

Almost all IT infrastructure equipment relies on some form of software to carry out its functions. A server for example uses an operating system (OS) for tasks including running applications, storing files, or managing emails. Furthermore, networking equipment such as access points rely on firmware and drivers to operate properly.

In the digital age, cyberattackers are constantly detecting new vulnerabilities in existing software, with the goal of exploiting them as intrusion points into a victim’s network. In this light, it is essential to keep your organization’s equipment up-to-date at all times in order to protect yourself against attack. This article aims to provide an overview of the advantages of keeping your hardware up-to-date.

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Increase Security Against Cyberattack
From ransomware to DDoS attacks, cyberattacks have become one of the most prevalent threats against any organization in today’s world. Falling victim to one of these attacks can have major consequences against a company, from reputational damage to financial and legal repercussions as well. Outdated software is one of the most common methods that cyberattackers use to gain access to an organization’s network. Vulnerabilities that have been discovered and not repaired provide an entry point that a malicious actor can exploit. This is especially important for critical devices such as servers and endpoints, as these are often the devices targeted first by cyberattacks.

Improved Productivity
Updating the software on your devices can not only have benefits towards security, but also towards the productivity of your team. One of the major leading causes of slowdowns to a computer or server is outdated software. Software engineers are constantly pushing for additional updates for their software to ensure that it works optimally within the OS environments they were built for. Failing to keep software up-to-date can result in software instability and slowdowns, leading to a reduction to productivity as a whole.

Avoiding Data Compliance Problems
Many industries have requirements to how organizations need to manage their clients’ sensitive data. From financial information to personal data, it is essential to be able to protect this information against unauthorized eyes. Failure to comply to the data handling practices outlined in your industry can result in costly fines and legal consequences.

Therefore, keeping this data safe against attack should be of up-most priority. Reducing the chance of cyberattack through diligent software update management is one of the most effective methods of ensuring that your organization is protected against intrusion.

Reduce Operation Costs
A device running obsolete software will not use the hardware’s full capacity. Over time, this can increase the operating costs to your organization’s IT infrastructure. For organizations running a large number of devices, these costs can quickly add up. Replacing one of these devices is an option to reduce operation costs, but it is often costly up-front. Prior to this solution, it is recommended to check that your current hardware is fully updated, ensuring that it is optimally performing to its fullest capability.

GIGE Corporation has over 30 years helping Canadian organizations keep their IT infrastructure up-to-date and protected against cyberattack. Call us at +1 888 366 4443 to get started today.