Halfway through last year, a cyber-attack has cost the Danish shipping company Maersk hundreds of millions. To be slightly more specific: two to three hundred million dollars. The hack with ransomware led to days of shutdown of two container terminals and the laying down of other crucial business systems. The most important advice that security companies give: always install the available software updates, especially for frequently used software.

Updating a software system is not something that anyone is looking forward to. But the same goes for a “Maersk scenario”. Yet many entrepreneurs think they are resistant to cyber-attacks with their current software. Misconception number one, I will give you this one for free. Hackers focus on outdated software by working backwards from the update batch. I will share the other five biggest misconceptions about updating your outdated software with you below.

1. “Why change something that works well?”

The classic fallacy: never change a winning team. This fallacy has lived in the Dutch football culture for years and look at where it got them. Not in Russia, at least. What does this tell us? Just like international football, business is subject to change. If you stick to what is working now, you are not prepared for change. And those who cannot adapt, can no longer participate at the highest level.

2. “We have to change our entire work processes.”

Your system is virtually connected to every process. Therefore, it seems that everything is depending on it. Somewhat logical. Because if your system is down, this will cause panic in your operation. Do not forget that your software solution supports your processes. Not the other way around. Especially with a standard module, everything can be configurated based on your processes. This does not change after an update. Moreover, this gives you access to all new functionalities.

3. “If I want to adjust something, the support desk will fix it.”

Unfortunately. In every technological sector, there comes a time where support is no longer provided. Your iPhone 5 receives no iOS updates anymore. The latest game is no longer available for your child’s outdated PlayStation 3. And last year, for example, Microsoft’s support for Windows Vista has been canceled. The same applies to your software package. At some point, support will stop and you want to be ahead of the moment that bugs cannot be resolved.

4. “We want to keep our service standards high for our customers and suppliers.”

This is related to the first misconception. What your customers are asking for today, is a thing in the past by tomorrow. As a (logistics) service provider you are there to help your customers. That is your right to exist as an organization. But your customers move on as well and they expect you to move along. Consider FrieslandCampina’s data highway, for example. You will have to use the latest EDI technology if you want to be able to meet to such demands. In addition, an update does not replace existing functions: it expands them and adds extra possibilities. This allows you to continue supporting all your current customers. Also, potential customers who are ahead of their competition will come to you.

5. “Running updates is expensive.”

Try to turn it around. Not running updates means reimplementation in the long run, if the system really cannot keep up anymore. Then, the entire process will start over again. Including the costs. At Elevate-IT and Boltrics, updates are part of the maintenance contract and all our customers are always up to date. If you mean by “expensive” that an update costs a lot of time (=money), then you do not have to worry either. We run updates whenever you want, even in the night. This way, updates never have to have any impact on your processes.

Our promise: always up to date

This promise is not there for ourselves: it is there for you. Your customers and suppliers are using new, specific technologies. They expect you to be able to deal with these. When you postpone updates, you cannot meet your customers’ demands any longer and you are not future proof. Besides, you will risks on cyber-attacks and support cancelling. So what are you waiting for?