How frequently should workstations be updated and maintained?

Regular updates and maintenance of workstations are crucial for ensuring security, performance, and the overall functionality of the systems. Performing these updates at least monthly allows organizations to address vulnerabilities, apply security patches, and keep software up to date with newer features and improvements. This proactive approach helps mitigate the risk of security breaches that can occur when software is outdated. Furthermore, monthly maintenance can also involve optimizing system performance through updates and file management, contributing to a smoother user experience.

While options suggesting longer intervals or reactive updates may seem sufficient, they expose the system to increased risks over time. Six-month intervals might lead to vulnerabilities being unaddressed for too long, making it easier for threats to exploit outdated software. Quarterly updates, while more frequent than semi-annual updates, still present a window where critical updates could be missed affecting security posture. Lastly, only updating workstations when problems arise is a reactive strategy that can lead to significant downtime and security risks, as many issues can be prevented through regular maintenance. Therefore, maintaining a schedule of at least monthly updates is the most effective practice for workstation upkeep.