The importance of regular software updates and patch management
Because ignoring update reminders is the digital equivalent of leaving your windows open in a storm.

We’ve all done it. That little pop-up appears: “A new update is available. Restart now?” And what do we click? Remind me later. Again. And again. And again.

But here’s the thing — while we’re putting it off, so are thousands of other people. And hackers know this. In fact, many cyber attacks take advantage of known weaknesses in outdated software — weaknesses that already have fixes available… if only people would install them.

So let’s unpack why software updates (a.k.a. patches) matter, and what you, as a senior leader, should be doing to ensure your organisation isn’t one “remind me later” away from disaster.

What is patch management, anyway?

Think of software updates like maintenance on your house. Maybe there’s a cracked window, a dodgy lock, or a loose tile. If you don’t fix it, things will get in — water, cold air, or something worse. Patch management is simply the process of applying updates (or “patches”) to fix known problems in your software. That includes your operating system, business applications, antivirus tools, mobile devices, and even the firmware on things like printers and routers.

Why it matters more than you think.

Hackers don’t always need to invent new tricks — they just scan the internet for businesses running old, vulnerable systems. It’s like walking down the street checking every door handle. Sooner or later, one’s going to open. Real-world attacks have happened months after a patch was released — simply because companies hadn’t got around to installing it.

So if your software isn’t up to date, your business might be exposed to:

• Ransomware attacks (yes, again!)
• Data breaches
• Service outages
• Loss of customer trust
• Regulatory fines, if the breach involved personal data

All because someone hit “remind me later” one too many times.

The usual excuses (and why they’re dangerous)

We get it. Updates can be a hassle. People delay them for all sorts of reasons:

• “We don’t want to interrupt work.”
• “It might break something.”
• “We don’t have time this week.”
• “Nobody’s complained, so it must be fine.”

But security isn’t just about convenience. It’s about risk. And the cost of not updating is almost always higher than the cost of a short interruption.

What leaders should be asking

You don’t need to know how to install a patch — but you do need to be confident someone is. Here are the questions that cut through the tech jargon:

1. Do we have an update schedule?
   Ask: “Are all our systems — including servers, laptops, mobile devices and cloud platforms — updated regularly?”
2. Is patching automated where possible?
   Ask: “Do we use tools that apply updates automatically, or are we relying on people to remember?”
3. Do we monitor for missed updates?
   Ask: “How do we check if anything’s been missed or failed to install?”
4. What’s our process for urgent patches?
    Ask: “If a serious vulnerability is discovered, how quickly can we patch it — and who decides that?”
5. Do we test updates before rolling them out?
   Ask: “Do we make sure updates won’t break anything important before we install them?”

The Leadership Angle

When you support patch management, you’re supporting resilience. This isn’t just an IT task — it’s part of your commitment to risk management and operational continuity.

• Fund the time and tools to do it properly.
• Champion a culture that doesn’t treat updates as a nuisance.
• Ask the right questions in board meetings, not just when something goes wrong.

Because one outdated system can bring down the whole business.

In short…

Ignoring updates might not seem like a big deal — until it is. Cyber criminals thrive on procrastination, and patching is one of the easiest, cheapest, and most effective ways to stay ahead of them.

So next time that update reminder pops up, don’t hit “later.” Hit “now” — and make sure your business does the same.

Because in cybersecurity, delay is the weakest link.