Are Your Security Service Packs Up-To-Date?
Most of you are probably already aware of the fact that Microsoft routinely releases critical security service packs for it’s operating systems and application software. However, you might not be aware that this is also an issue many other commonly used application software programs as well.
Failure to keep on top of this sort of thing could result in a major security issue such as the recent breaches where millions of customers have had their personal data (including credit card information) stolen from various retailers.
Some examples of software that routinely see security service packs being released to protect against detected vulnerabilities are:
- Internet Browsers.
- Third party security applications, such as Anti-Virus, and Anti-Malware software.
- Internet Browsers.
- Portable document creation and presentation tools.
- Disk clean-up utilities.
- POS Systems – usually this involves security changes such as new data encryption standards, new password restrictions, etc.
However, many of these software programs DO NOT automatically download or apply these security service packs. The manufacturer’s may require that you separately download and install certain service packs. Some updates may also require that non-optional post installation routines be run before the changes are operational.
These security issues also apply to local workstations, and POS registers, not just your application servers. Often many of the updates require that either servers and or workstations restarted.
If you would like to have CCS review your current server and/or workstation environments, please contact the CCS Retail Systems Support Department.