Potential Dangers of Running Outdated Software and Old OS
In the rapidly evolving digital world, the importance of keeping software up-to-date cannot be overstated. A recent study by Marsh McLennan has found a strong correlation between a poor patching cadence and cyber incidents.
One of the most concerning aspects of outdated software is its susceptibility to ransomware events. Organizations with a slow pace in software updates are more likely to fall victim to such attacks. This is not just a theoretical concern; the U.S. Cyber Safety Review Board reported that one federal cabinet department dedicated an astounding 33,000 hours to responding to the Log4j vulnerability.
The healthcare sector is particularly vulnerable, with outdated and unpatched medical devices increasingly targeted by threat actors. The compromise of a single IoT device can impact the entire organization and its connected supply chain, leading to delays in operations and financial loss.
Connected IoT devices can cause extensive damage if they operate on outdated software while being linked to the corporate network. A hacker could exploit an unpatched security vulnerability in a cloud provider's web application firewall appliance and take control of the device or reach into the network where your data is housed.
The rise of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies in the workplace further complicates matters. Many employers don't have security policies in place or a means to enforce them, making it difficult to monitor BYOD usage or see when personal devices connect to the network. This increases the risk of network compromise, as 67 percent of people use their own devices for work and 55 percent of employees solely use mobile devices for work while traveling.
Security teams face a daunting task in trying to monitor and manage the security of these devices. By 2030, there will be 29 billion connected IoT devices, making it almost impossible to manually inventory and monitor their security postures.
However, there is a solution. A robust vulnerability management program can help identify and fix vulnerabilities in outdated software before attackers can exploit them. Continuously monitoring for out-of-date systems is crucial to maintain an up-to-date view of unpatched or outdated systems.
It's also important to assess the risk posed by outdated systems not only inside your organization but also among third parties, such as vendors or cloud providers. After all, if a vendor or cloud provider uses outdated software, they could inadvertently expose your data to risk.
In conclusion, the risks posed by outdated software are real and significant. From ransomware events to network compromises, the consequences can be severe. By implementing a robust vulnerability management program and staying vigilant, organizations can mitigate these risks and protect their digital assets.
