An estimated 50% of iPhones are running outdated versions of iOS, exposing organizations to unnecessary risk, according to new research from Duo Security.
The identity security vendor claimed that half of all Apple smartphones “in use today” are running iOS 8.3 or earlier. That means they haven’t received patches for over 100 known flaws including Ins0mnia and Quicksand.
The former allows apps to “violate app rules” to steal data or drain a phone’s battery, while Quicksand exposes enterprise credentials and sensitive configuration data, explained Duo Security R&D program manager Mike Hanley.
Duo Security estimates that 20 million iPhones in use today run on old hardware that can’t receive security updates. If Apple ends support for the 4S — its oldest platform — that number will rise to 60 million.
With BYOD (Bring your own device) now common in most businesses, IT teams need to set expectations for software updates for devices that will be able to access the corporate network, Hanley explained. Hanley
called on organizations to better educate users about the importance of keeping their smartphones up-to-date.
Offering helpful tips on how to free up space on the device so that updates can be installed would be a good start. Connect to iTunes It makes updates faster, which also requires less free space.
Helping users find the right time to update is also important, Hanley concluded.
“We like updates at dinner time – a great opportunity to put down the phone and enjoy a meal with family and friends,” he said.
