If you are reading this, chances are someone has already told you that security updates are old-school. You may also think that you don’t need them if you are using modern cybersecurity solutions that defend your endpoint. Well, the reality is different.

When you don’t run routine security updates, your endpoint will be the sole fighter facing a multitude of cybercriminals. It won’t take cybercriminals much time to launch multiple attacks and break into your network and systems and steal your critical data.

There are many cyber security service providers that disapprove of the importance their competitors give to regular updates. They often argue that their machine-learning (ML) algorithm is enough to defend the businesses of their clients.

The ML algorithm gets all the needed data stored on the local machines of the client and in the security atmosphere, thus making it what they call “one perk.” No more security updates are needed. Is that really practical and beneficial?

Is Local Defense Sufficient?

Well, the solutions that provide local defenses can play a critical role in thwarting attacks, but that applies only to a certain security ecosystem– one that has extremely limited functionality. It is fine for systems that are intensely opposed to scaling or modification, either entirely or moderately, and are secluded from the external environment.

Most companies do not function in an isolated or narrow environment. Also, the endpoints in all sizes of organizations require the flexibility to communicate with or interact with third-party vendors, clients, business partners, and other stakeholders. This can happen only if there is near-constant linking.

Even if the ML algorithm is flexible and sharp enough to learn from networks and users, without regular updates, it can still experience glitches in properly recognizing incoming data and connections as authorized or unauthorized. As a result, the rate of false positives will shoot up. There is also a risk the security algorithm will pass an incoming malware as a clean item. It is critical to run regular updates of the detection database so any such risk is avoided.

Choose a Cyber Security Service That Emphasizes Regular Updates

When looking for a cybersecurity service or solution, make sure to choose a vendor that emphasizes regular security updates besides using human oversight combined with the newest technologies. There are vendors that offer cyber defense solutions that can oversee your networks, systems, and data continuously and provide you with real-time updates on the security status.

It is worth mentioning here that regular updates can also decrease your hardware demands. Because the scrutinized samples may have been examined by other endpoints in the larger network, they would not need further evaluation.

The updates can also use the data to form a robust threat database that can be stored remotely. The threat database can be shared with all recognized endpoints, thus defending your organization and others in the industry from targeted attacks.

Never ignore updates. When you ignore updates, it means you are ignoring everything that goes on in the practical security environment.