Security System Software Updates: Your Questions Answered
You are likely familiar with the following scenario: A little notification pops up on your device telling you that a software update is available and you dismiss it in response. My device is fine, you think to yourself. I don’t need this now, so I’ll just put it off until later.
The problem with dismissing updates is that they have a purpose. They exist to secure your device by protecting it from vulnerabilities you aren’t even aware of.
The same goes for security software. When you invest in technologies like surveillance systems to protect your people and property, you need to make sure those technologies are protected themselves. The best way to do this is by keeping them up-to-date.
Here’s a breakdown of what security software updates are, how they work and what steps you can take to ensure your security system is up-to-date:
What are software updates?
There is a common saying in the software industry that goes as follows: “Software is never done.” This is because manufacturers design code to perform a certain function, but people continually find ways to hack into that code and disrupt that function.
This is a never ending cycle, which is why software manufacturers continually tweak code to protect software against potential vulnerabilities. Once a “tweak” is finalized, the manufacturers release a new update.
Why are security software updates so important?
Security software updates are critical for many reasons, as there are endless possible exploits that threaten today’s security systems.
For instance, if you manage a commercial office building in Manhattan, you would not want a criminal to gain access to surveillance feeds. Or if you were staying at a hospital in New Jersey, you would be in real danger if someone hacked into the security system to unlock doors.
The capabilities of today’s security technologies are incredible, but nonetheless risky. Manufacturers stay one step ahead of that risk with penetration testing to determine gaps in their security products.
When they see something wrong, they release an update to fix it. So by ignoring these updates, you are essentially putting your people and property at risk.
How can I make sure my software stays updated?
During the initial procurement of your security system, you can invest in a software update licensing agreement with your security provider. This agreement should give you automatic updates as they become available, as well as unlimited support throughout the year when you have questions or concerns.
The cost of such an agreement is typically an annual one, determined by the size of your security system and your chosen brand. You can get the most bang for your buck by asking your security integrator about multi-year plans.
Without security updates, your site is vulnerable in a number of ways.
In addition to protecting you from potential security threats, ongoing software updates ensure a healthy system for years to come.
Let’s pretend that two years after installing a new security system, you begin to experience a ton of programmatic issues. Or perhaps you need to add to your security system due to a building expansion.
In both cases, you bring in a security partner to help. Instead, you find out that your system is out-of-date and you now have to spend a ton of time, energy and money to update it before you can even begin to solve programmatic issues or expand.
We have dealt with clients who had no idea their system was out of date, only to discover that fact when it became a serious barrier or obstacle to a project later on. Oftentimes, integrators won’t even work with an out-of-date system, so by investing in a software update service plan (SUSP) now, you can prevent a huge headache later.
Stay protected. Ask us about our security software update agreements today.
About POM Technologies
Peace of Mind Technologies is a security integrations firm that designs, installs, and maintains comprehensive security systems for facilities throughout New York and New Jersey. Our solutions actively detect threats and prevent them from compromising your security, damaging your reputation and destroying your peace of mind.
