It. Horror stories, how unpatched software hurts businesses. You can invest heavily in cybersecurity, but one of the most common threats is also the easiest to overlook Unpatched software from billion dollar breaches to major service outages. Recent incidents show how risky it is to ignore updates. In this video, we'll talk about why patching matters and how to stay protected. Before we begin, be sure to subscribe to Ninja One's IT Video Hub for more tech content like this. Why Unpatched software is still the biggest cybersecurity risk. When developers release patches to fix security flaws, the race begins. Can your IT team apply them before attackers exploit them? Hackers don't wait. They use automated tools to scan for unpatched systems. The moment vulnerabilities are disclosed the problem many businesses don't patch in time. In 2024, 60% of data breaches were linked to unpatched software. 32% of all attacks began with a vulnerability that already had a fix available, but wasn't applied even worse. Attackers increasingly rely on old CVEs, not new exploits. Simply waiting for businesses to fall behind. Why do companies delay patching? Many fear that updates could break apps or disrupt operations, meaning manual patching can be risky. These concerns are valid as manual patching can cause issues, but leaving known vulnerabilities open is worse. Breaches can cost millions halt operations and damage customer trust, especially with 45% of businesses lacking cyber insurance. The domino effect of ignoring patching one MIS patch can spiral lateral movement. As attackers spread across systems, data theft can happen as sensitive files are quietly stolen. There's also risk of ransomware where files are locked and ransom demanded. Regulatory fines are also possible as non-compliance with GDPR HIPA and other regulatory bodies leads to penalties. Finally, reputation damage can happen as customers flee after public breaches. Why Automated patch management is critical? Manual patching can't keep up in large complex environments. In fact, 25 to 30% of Windows 10 patches fail when done manually. That's where patch automation comes in. It slashes failure rates by reducing human error and ensuring full coverage. Delayed patches. Open doors for attackers, automation closes them fast, reliably, and at scale. For more information, check out our official blog post on how unpatched software hurts businesses linked in the description below.