Risks and Mitigation of Unpatched Softwares | SafeAeon Inc

In today's digital world, where everything is connected, software vulnerabilities are a constant threat to businesses of all kinds. Malicious people who want to steal private data, mess up operations, or cause financial harm can easily get into software that hasn't been updated and is full of security holes. If you don't update your software, terrible things can happen, like data breaches, ransomware attacks, system failures, and damage to your image. Understanding the risks and mitigation of unpatched software is crucial in addressing these issues.

It's scary how common unpatched software is; many studies have shown that a huge number of computers are still using old, vulnerable software versions. Because of this carelessness, cybercriminals can easily start complex attacks, taking advantage of known flaws to get in without permission and do bad things. These kinds of attacks cost companies a lot of money because they have to pay a lot to fix problems, pay lawyers, and deal with possible business interruptions. One of the critical aspects of risks and mitigation of unpatched software is that ignoring updates leaves systems more exposed to these attacks.

It's also hard for businesses to keep up with the steady stream of security patches and updates because technology changes so quickly and software systems are getting more complicated. Every year, a huge number of security holes are found and fixed, which can be too much for even the most committed security teams to handle. This can cause patches to be late and leave users more open to risks, increasing the importance of risks and mitigation of unpatched software strategies.

When software, hardware, or systems have security holes that haven't been fixed with updates or patches, this is called an unpatched vulnerability. Threat players use these holes to steal data or get into networks without permission. Once these flaws are found, software companies put out fixes to reduce the risks. But companies that don't patch their systems or wait too long to do so leave them open to hackers. Therefore, focusing on the risks and mitigation of unpatched software is essential for maintaining system security.

Risks for Businesses of Not Patching System Flaws:

• Data Breaches: Attackers can get to private company data through security holes that haven't been fixed.
• System Downtime: Systems that are too old often crash, have speed problems, or become unstable, which can stop business.
• Ransomware Attacks: Ransomware groups use security holes that haven't been fixed to lock up important files and demand a payment for the key to unlock them.
• Compliance Violations: Businesses that have to follow the rules set by regulators must keep up with security standards. Not putting on patches can be a violation of safety, which can lead to heavy fines.
• Malware Infections: Cybercriminals use security holes that haven't been fixed to put malware on computers, which slows them down.
• Reputational Damage: Attacks that succeed because of vulnerabilities that haven't been fixed can hurt a business's image, make customers less likely to trust it, and even get it sued.

Idle or useless software can also be dangerous to your security because it might have holes that hackers can use. This is especially true for old systems that companies no longer support. For fewer ways to get in, businesses should take a look at their software, get rid of programs that aren't being used, and make sure that updates and fixes are installed on time, as part of the risks and mitigation of unpatched software approach.

Several well-known hacks have happened because of holes that haven't been fixed. The Equifax data breach in 2017 is a well-known example. It put the personal information of 148 million people at risk. Attackers took advantage of a weakness in the company's system that wasn't fixed for months after a fix came out, which let them steal data. This highlights the real-world consequences tied to the risks and mitigation of unpatched software.

For businesses that don't fix their systems, hackers can still get in and do damage. For instance, the flaws found in Microsoft's Exchange servers (ProxyLogon, ProxyShell, and ProxyNotShell) have been used many times. Over 60,000 Exchange computers were still not patched in the first quarter of 2023, leaving them open to attacks, which further demonstrates the importance of addressing the risks and mitigation of unpatched software.

Given the serious risks and mitigation of unpatched software, it is important to protect your business from possible online threats. These three main steps will help you keep your systems safe and in line with the law by reducing the risks that come with unpatched weaknesses.

1. Set up automated patch management

One of the best ways to reduce the risks of software that hasn't been updated is to use automated patch management. Using automated tools can speed up the process of finding, testing, and releasing patches, reducing the chance of mistakes and making sure that updates happen on time.

• Advantages of Automation: When you use automated patch management, your software system is constantly checked for vulnerabilities and fixed as soon as they are reported. These tools make sure that the most important patches are applied first by ranking them by how bad they are and how important the systems they touch are. Automation also makes IT teams' jobs easier, which gives them more time to work on important projects.
Integration with Endpoint Security Tools: Automated patch management makes your defense against cyber threats stronger when it's combined with endpoint security tools like antivirus, firewall, and intrusion detection systems. This creates a layered security approach that reduces weaknesses.

2. Make risk-based patching a top priority

Each patch is important in its own way, and each vulnerability poses a different risk. A risk-based patching approach looks at how each vulnerability might affect the system and decides which patches to apply first.

• Checking for Vulnerability Severity: To check for vulnerability severity, use tools like the Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS). Vulnerabilities with higher scores should be fixed first, especially ones that affect important systems or are likely to be used against you.
• Using information about threats: To stay up to date on new threats, add threat intelligence to your patch management method. This information helps you decide which patches to apply first to holes that attackers are actively looking for in the wild.
• Tips for Deploying Patches: To keep things running smoothly, apply patches in stages, beginning with the most important systems, or plan changes for times when demand is low. These tactics help keep things running smoothly and quickly fix any problems that come up.

3. Do regular checks of the software and keep track of the inventory

For patch management to work well, you need to know a lot about the tools and systems your company uses. To find and fix unpatched vulnerabilities, it's important to do regular software checks and keep an accurate software inventory.

• Regular Audits: If you do regular audits of your software system, you can find software that is out of date or not supported and that isn't getting patches. To make sure everything is safe and up to date, these audits should look at all apps, operating systems, and hardware. Getting rid of software that isn't needed can also lower security risks.
• Keeping an accurate list of software: Keeping a complete list of all software and systems, including their versions, fix status, and known security holes, is important to make sure that important systems are patched on time and that no holes are missed.
• Taking Care of Old Systems: Old systems don't always get vendor help or regular updates, which leaves them very open to attack. Companies should think about the risks that old systems cause and either disconnect them from the main network or make plans to replace them with safer, better supported options.

By using these strategies, businesses can greatly lower the risks that come with using software that hasn't been updated. This will protect their systems, data, and image from possible cyber threats.

So, don't underestimate the risks and ways to protect yourself from them that come with software that hasn't been updated. They can leave companies open to big security holes, data breaches, and problems with following the rules. Software needs to be updated and patched on a regular basis to keep systems safe from threats. Using automated patch management tools, regularly performing audits, and raising knowledge about cybersecurity can all help lower these risks. You might want to work with SafeAeon to get full safety and expert help with keeping software environments safe. They are the best at giving you proactive security options that are made to fit the needs of your business.