Do you ever get that “update software” message, roll your eyes, and click “later”? If you do, you’re not the only one. Thousands of people skip software updates because they don’t have the time and patience to sit through it. However, have you ever asked yourself if skipping software updates brings you any consequences? Keep reading to learn why software updates are important and why you should never skip one again!
As one of the safety measures recommended within the NIST framework, software updates play a key role in your overall cybersecurity system. The reason why updates are so important when it comes to security is because they will help you prevent a problem before having to fix it. If you’ve ever been a victim of a cybersecurity attack, you know what it feels like to wish you had taken safety measures in time. If you haven’t had this experience, it means you’re very lucky.
However, luck won’t last forever. That is why you need to start implementing safety measures to ensure your data and devices are fully protected at all times. The NIST framework can help you achieve ultimate security simply by following its rules and regulations. One of those rules is to always update your system and all programs installed on it. Here’s why!
No matter how much developers work on cybersecurity, software solutions and programs will always have some type of loopholes that hackers can take advantage of. Luckily, software developers work on uncovering these loopholes and fixing them. Each time they fix a cybersecurity problem, they send the fix to all their users in the form of a software update. In other words, these updates serve to patch up to holes in your security system and make your device less vulnerable to cybercrime.
Besides security, there are other benefits that come along with software updates. Each update carries significant improvements and advanced features. Therefore, with each new update, you will improve the user experience and the performance of the program. Regularly installing updates allows you to get the most out of the program while keeping your data and devices secured. So, why should you risk to become a victim of a cyberattack when you can prevent the breach by simply installing an update?
Software updates usually take a few minutes to install and they’re not that annoying after all. In fact, updates can save you from tremendous financial losses caused by security breaches. Next time you get a notification that an update is available for your system, click “install” and take a break while your device gets the job done. You can even make things easier by setting up automatic updates on your mobile or desktop devices.
To sum it all up, software updates bring along plenty of benefits for the users. Besides security fixes, which are the reason why regular updates are recommended by the NIST framework, updates also carry performance improvements, new and more innovative features, as well as better device compatibility. Updating your devices and programs is the simplest way to improve your cybersecurity system and it is absolutely free.
With that said, there is no reason why you would skip the next update notification that comes your way. Take advantage of it and reduce the risk of cyberattacks so you don’t have to worry about consequences such as financial loss or identity theft. However, keep in mind that updates are only one of many safety measures integrated in the NIST framework. Study the framework closely and take action to secure your devices as soon as possible!