Software & OS Integrity
As support for older software expires and security patches and product updates end, malicious actors will use the updates to newer versions as a blueprint for exploiting flaws in older software. Because a software’s code remains largely unchanged between older and newer versions with only incremental changes, patches can illustrate where old software is vulnerable.
Whether it’s a CRM, accounting software, manufacturing ERP, or even a basic Microsoft Office license, any software company will offer a window of time in which technical support is available for that version of their software. But after its end-of-support date, obsolete software will not receive patches and updates and getting direct support from software companies can be exorbitantly expensive if it is available at all. Having support agreements in place with software companies for all critical line-of-business (LOB) applications is essential to preserving work product and continuity.
Perhaps an even greater risk to your business is using server and workstation operating systems beyond their end-of-life. Doing so threatens your business’s productivity, financial health, and legal protection in the case of a cybersecurity breach. For businesses in many industries such as healthcare, manufacturing, legal and financial services and others, using an unsupported OS can lead to compliance issues with industry standards and regulations which often require up-to-date software to ensure data security. Doing so also leaves your business exposed to lawsuits when client information is compromised because cybersecurity insurance will not cover you when using obsolete operating systems.
As the OS becomes outdated, third-party developers may stop supporting it altogether, leading to software and hardware compatibility issues. New applications may not run at all, and if they do you may not have access to all features or technical support if new applications are running on unsupported operating systems.
