Despite the inherent security risks, research has
revealed that 59% of SMBs don't deploy new application software
patches as soon as they are released.
The research was commissioned by internet and email services
provider intY, which attributes the delay to the significant amount
of time required to test the patches and then deploy them
throughout the business.
"It's alarming to see that so many UK SMBs could be potentially
placing their business at risk, all because the patching process
has become seen as such a huge task that businesses are now lagging
behind in keeping all their PCs and laptops up to date," warns intY
founder Mark Herbert.
"Many [SMBs] think that having a small security vulnerability
isn't a concern because they won't be targeted if they're not a big
company but this simply isn't the case. If you continue to play
Russian roulette with your security, then it will only be a matter
of when, not if, your security vulnerabilities will be
exploited."
The research also found that 61% of UK SMBs are paying for
software licences they aren't using. The way some software
licensing models are structured means that UK SMBs have to pay for
one licence per device even if the person using the device leaves
the business and isn’t replaced, or if the device breaks down and
cannot be used.