What is one of the effects of neglecting regular patch management?

Neglecting regular patch management significantly increases the risk of security vulnerabilities within systems and applications. When software updates or patches are not applied, known vulnerabilities remain unaddressed, leaving systems susceptible to exploitation by attackers. Cybercriminals often target outdated software because they are aware that many organizations fail to implement updates promptly. This can lead to unauthorized access, data breaches, and various malicious activities that compromise the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of information systems.

By ensuring regular patch management, organizations can mitigate these risks by promptly addressing security holes, thus lowering the likelihood of successful attacks and enhancing overall security posture. In contrast, the other outcomes listed, such as improved system performance, enhanced data retention, or lower operational costs, are not typically associated with the failure to manage patches. Instead, organizations may experience decreased performance and increased costs when dealing with the consequences of security incidents arising from unpatched vulnerabilities.