The prevalence of outdated software is widespread, often rooted in the familiarity and reliability of older tools that staff members prefer. Additionally, the financial aspect plays a role, as the complete replacement of outdated software can be costly, and significant updates may result in time and productivity losses as employees adapt to new features.
However, opting for outdated technology introduces new challenges. Take, for instance, the case of Southwest Airlines canceling over 15,000 flights in December 2022. The culprit? Outdated scheduling software unable to cope with the surge in demand following a major winter storm. The consequences were frustrated passengers and substantial revenue loss.
The Southwest Airlines incident is just one illustration of the issues associated with legacy tools. Below, we outline some of the key risks linked to the use of outdated software.
Infographic created by Black Line IT, an Illinois cyber security company