What Happens When Software Updates Are Ignored
Why clicking “update later” is costing your business
You know that feeling: a little pop-up appears in the corner of your screen asking you to install the latest update, and you click “remind me later” for the fifth time that week. It seems harmless. Your system is running fine. What could possibly go wrong?
As it turns out, quite a lot. Poor software update management is one of the leading causes of data breaches, ransomware attacks, and costly downtime for businesses of every size.
Continue reading as we break down exactly what happens when updates get ignored and why a proactive approach to patch management is not optional.
Why software updates exist in the first place
Before turning to the consequences, it helps to understand what software updates actually do. Yes, some updates add new features or improve performance, but the most critical updates are security patches. When developers discover a vulnerability in their software, they release a patch to close it. The moment vulnerability becomes public knowledge, hackers begin scanning the internet for any system that has not yet applied the fix.
Think of it like ignoring a recall on your car’s brakes. The problem is known, the fix is available, but every day you put it off is another day you are driving with a vulnerability you could have already solved.
Six real consequences of ignoring software updates
1. You become an easy target for cyber attacks
Unpatched systems are among the most common entry points for cybercriminals. Known vulnerabilities are publicly cataloged in databases such as the CVE (Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures) list, so attackers do not need to work hard to find them. They simply search for systems running outdated software and walk right in.
Real-World Example: In July 2025, attackers exploited a critical vulnerability in Microsoft SharePoint servers, known as the “ToolShell” flaw, to break into nearly 400 organizations worldwide, including a US federal nuclear agency. Microsoft released a patch, but any business that did not apply it in time was left exposed. Ransomware groups quickly took advantage of the opening to deploy Warlock ransomware across compromised networks. [1]
2. Data breaches are far more likely to occur
Outdated software dramatically increases the risk of a data breach. Hackers who exploit an unpatched vulnerability can access sensitive data, customer records, financial information, employee data, and proprietary business files, often without triggering any obvious alarms.
Real-World Example: In February 2024, Change HealthCare suffered one of the largest healthcare breaches in US history, exposing the personal and medical information of an estimated 190 million people. Attackers gained access through a remote server that lacked multi-factor authentication and had known security gaps that were never addressed. The fallout included widespread disruption to pharmacies and providers across the country, billions in recovery costs, and ongoing legal action. [2]
3. Ransomware can lock you out of your own business
Ransomware attacks, where malicious software encrypts your files until you pay a ransom, almost always exploit unpatched vulnerabilities. Recovery is expensive, time-consuming, and never guaranteed. Even if you pay, there is no promise that your data will be fully restored.
The cost of a ransomware attack goes far beyond the ransom itself. Businesses face extended downtime, emergency IT response fees, potential data loss, and serious reputational damage.
Related resource:
What Happens During a Ransomware Attack
4. Compliance violations and legal exposure
If your business handles sensitive data, especially in industries like healthcare, finance, or retail, you are likely subject to regulatory frameworks such as HIPAA, PCI-DSS, or SOC 2. Most of these regulations explicitly require that organizations maintain up-to-date security patches as part of their risk management obligations.
Failing to do so does not just leave you vulnerable to hackers. It leaves you vulnerable to auditors, regulators, and the legal liability that comes with a preventable breach.
Learn more:
Cyberinsurance Is Changing: How to Protect Your Business with the Right IT Support
5. Software instability and lost productivity
Updates are not just about security. They also deliver bug fixes and performance improvements that keep your systems running smoothly. Outdated software crashes more often, conflicts with other applications, and can become incompatible with the rest of your tech stack over time, all of which slow your team down.
What good software update management looks like
Effective patch management is a systematic process, not just clicking “update” when prompted. At a minimum, it should include:
- A full inventory of all devices and software across your environment
- A defined patch schedule with regular, low-disruption update windows
- Automated deployment tools to reduce human error
- A clear plan for transitioning away from end-of-life software before vendor support runs out
For many businesses, managing all of this in-house is a real challenge. IT teams are stretched thin, and keeping up with patches across all systems and applications is a full-time job.
Related resource:
The Importance of Website Security for Businesses
The hidden cost of “I’ll update it later”
Many businesses delay updates out of fear of disruption, the concern that a patch might break something, require a restart, or consume IT bandwidth. These concerns are understandable. But the math does not support delaying.
The average cost of a data breach for small and mid-sized businesses often runs into the hundreds of thousands of dollars when you factor in downtime, recovery, notifications, and reputational damage. Compared to the relatively minor disruption of a managed update window, the calculus is clear.
The expense of a breach far outweighs the cost of staying current.
How InterNetwork IT helps
Looking for a managed IT company in Orlando to help strengthen your business’s software update management?
InterNetwork IT offers IT security packages uniquely tailored to your business’s needs. Our comprehensive security services help protect your business, team, and customers from vulnerabilities in outdated software.
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Contact us today to learn more!
1: Infosecurity Magazine | SharePoint ‘ToolShell’ Vulnerabilities Exploited by Chinese Nation-State Hackers
2: HHS Office for Civil Rights | Change Healthcare Cybersecurity Incident Frequently Asked Questions