Don’t let outdated software become your weakest link
Is your software opening the door to attackers?
Most organisations rely on multiple software applications to keep their operations running smoothly. Those applications may be great for productivity and innovation, but – unless they’re managed well – they can open the door to serious security risks. Applications that aren’t regularly managed, checked, and updated offer an easy target for attackers. And applications can often be compromised without the affected organisation even realising.
This blog highlights three of the most common pitfalls in application management — and why ignoring them can put your business at risk.
1. Unrestricted software installation
Background: Allowing users to download and install their own software without administrative approval might seem like a way to reduce IT bottlenecks. But it can quickly lead to issues. Without oversight, employees could install applications with known vulnerabilities, with bundled malware, or with unauthorised features that violate compliance policies.
Key risk: Users may unknowingly introduce unvetted or malicious software, opening up a backdoor for attackers.
Solution: Enforce the principle of least privilege. Users should not have the administrative rights to install software. Implement an approval workflow and consider application whitelisting to control what can be installed.
2. Lack of an application inventory
Background: If you don’t know what’s running in your environment, then you can’t protect it. Without a current and complete inventory of installed applications across all your devices, it’s almost impossible to assess risks, manage licenses, and identify outdated and vulnerable software.
Key risk: Unknown or forgotten applications can remain unpatched or misconfigured, making them prime targets for attackers looking to exploit known weaknesses.
Solution: Maintain a real-time centralised inventory of all installed applications. This provides visibility into software usage and versioning – and any unauthorised installations.
3. Failure to patch and update
Background: Cybercriminals often exploit known vulnerabilities in outdated software. Despite this, many organisations delay patching due to concerns about downtime, compatibility, or resource constraints – or overlook it completely. Postponing or neglecting patches and updates can prove very costly indeed.
Key risk: Unpatched applications increase the risk of malware infections, ransomware and data breaches.
Solution: Monitor installed applications routinely to ensure any vulnerable software is patched to the latest and most secure version. Regularly test and roll out updates across the environment. This is particularly important for critical security patches.
How security tooling can help
Modern security solutions can play a vital role in application management. Advanced endpoint protection platforms and vulnerability scanners can:
• Continuously monitor installed applications across all devices
• Flag software versions with known vulnerabilities tied to published common vulnerabilities and exposures (CVEs)
• Alert IT teams about unapproved or risky software
• Provide insights to support risk-based patching and prioritisation.
With these tools in place, organisations can adopt a proactive approach to managing software risk.
Conclusion
Poor application management is not just an operational issue — it creates a serious cybersecurity risk. By controlling software installation, maintaining application visibility, keeping everything updated, and leveraging security tooling, organisations can significantly reduce their attack surface.
With the right processes and tools in place, you can identify application risks and mitigate them – before they turn into major security incidents.
