Preventing Software Update Disasters: Key Questions for Business Leaders and non-technical staff in charge of IT

As a business leader, understanding how to prevent software update disasters is crucial, especially if your company is a small to medium-sized enterprise (SME) without a dedicated IT team. The recent CrowdStrike incident, where a faulty update caused significant global disruptions, highlights the importance of robust software and hardware updating processes.

For SMEs that lack an internal IT team or have outsourced services, managing updates effectively can be challenging due to limited insights and resources.

So, what can you do to prevent similar disasters? Here are key questions to ask:

1. Are we rolling out updates in phases?
   • Are updates being deployed to a few systems first to ensure they work correctly before a broader rollout? This approach can help limit the impact if something goes wrong.
2. Do we test updates before deploying them widely?
   • Is there a process to test updates on a non-critical system before full deployment? Testing can catch potential issues early, preventing widespread problems.
3. Do we have a recent backup of our data?
   • Is there a recent and reliable backup of all critical data before any update is applied? Having backups ensures that data can be restored quickly if the update causes issues.
4. Do we review our update processes regularly?
   • Are our update procedures and systems reviewed periodically to identify and address potential vulnerabilities? Regular reviews help maintain effective and secure update processes.
5. Is our staff trained for updates?
   • Are the IT staff responsible for updates well-trained and aware of the steps and potential issues involved? Proper training can prevent many common update-related problems.
6. Do we have clear communication protocols?
   • Is there a clear plan for communicating any update-related issues to the team and customers? Effective communication ensures transparency and trust during any problems.
7. Are we asking for help when needed?
   • At Ballards LLP, we can help identify gaps in your update processes and assist you in mitigating them. We are more than happy to have a friendly chat.

By asking these questions, SMEs can significantly reduce the risk of update-related disasters and maintain the trust of their customers and stakeholders. The CrowdStrike incident serves as a valuable lesson in the importance of software update processes, especially in our increasingly interconnected digital world.

By Bal Siyan, Fractional IT Director & CIO, Ballards LLP 

For more information, please contact Bal Siyan on baljeet.siyan@ballardsllp.com or call 01905 794 504.

Disclaimer (as of 26/07/2024): This article has been prepared for information purposes only as of the stated date. The information provided may not be relevant or accurate for any other date. Formal professional advice is strongly recommended before making decisions on the topics discussed in this release. No responsibility for any loss to any person acting, or not acting, as a result of this release can be accepted by us, or any person affiliated with us.