To many small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), software updates seem like a hassle—something to handle “later.” Unfortunately, that delay can come at a heavy cost. Behind this common behavior are real concerns—and for Managed Service Providers (MSPs), a real opportunity to provide critical protection and peace of mind.
What’s Really Holding SMBs Back?
1️⃣ Budget Constraints – Upgrades feel like an unnecessary expense.
2️⃣ “It Still Works” Attitude – If there’s no visible problem, updates get sidelined.
3️⃣ Lack of IT Support – Many SMBs don’t have a tech team to oversee patches.
4️⃣ Downtime Anxiety – Business owners fear disruptions to daily operations.
Even though they understand the risks, many SMBs continue using outdated software simply because managing updates feels too complex or risky.
The Danger of Delay
Outdated systems are prime targets for cyberattacks:
Zero-day vulnerabilities are more frequent and damaging.
The average cost of a breach for SMBs exceeds $120,000—factoring in downtime, lost data, and trust.
How MSPs Can Deliver the Solution
This is where you, the MSP, make a difference:
✅ Seamless Patch Management – Automate updates in the background with no downtime.
✅ Educate with Clarity – Share examples of real-world breaches tied to missed patches.
✅ Create Value Bundles – Pair patching with compliance, monitoring, or threat detection.
✅ Show Measurable Gains – Prove your impact with data like reduced threat exposure or system uptime improvements.
Positioning That Resonates
1️⃣ Empathize – “We get it—updates feel like a hassle. That’s why we make them effortless.”
2️⃣ Lead with Impact – “Most breaches could be avoided with simple updates. Let’s make sure you’re covered.”
3️⃣ Offer a No-Risk Start – “We’ll scan your systems for outdated software—completely free.”
In Summary
Ignoring updates might feel harmless in the moment—but it’s one of the top reasons SMBs get breached. MSPs who offer proactive patch management aren’t just solving a tech problem—they’re giving businesses a security edge.
👉 Want to protect your clients and scale your services? Patch management is the lever. Let’s put it to work.
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