In the world of e-commerce, technical decisions have a direct impact on the security, development, and stability of the business. One of the most frequently downplayed threats is the lack of regular updates to the CMS system (Magento, Shopware, Sylius, WooCommerce, or dedicated solutions). Contrary to appearances, this is not just an IT issue – it is a real business risk that can cost the company much more than implementing patches.
Why do companies forgo CMS updates?
The most common reasons are:
- fear of implementation costs and time,
- fear of failure or incompatibility with existing plugins,
- lack of awareness of consequences,
- the belief that “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”.
Meanwhile, every month without updates means growing risk – not only technical but above all business-related.
What are the consequences of lack of updates?
1. Security and loss of trust
An outdated CMS is an open door for cybercriminals. A security vulnerability can be used to steal customer data, take over the store, or even blackmail. Example? In 2025, the “SessionReaper” vulnerability in Magento allowed hijacking user sessions – companies that did not implement the update were exposed to serious losses and reputation damage.
2. Performance and stability issues
Lack of updates also means accumulating technical debt. The store may run slower and slower, errors appear, and integrations with ERP, PIM, or payment systems cease to be supported. This translates into a drop in conversion and customer frustration.
3. Loss of position in Google
Google increasingly rewards fast, secure, and modern stores. Lack of updates means worse SEO optimization, slower page loading, and the risk of dropping in search results.
4. Increased costs of repairs and implementations
The longer you delay an update, the greater the risk that a costly migration or post-failure repair will be necessary. It often turns out that a quick update would have been much cheaper than later “firefighting”.
Technology audit – the first step to security
In our company, we regularly conduct technology and security audits for e-commerce stores. We analyze:
- CMS and plugin versions,
- security level,
- performance and compliance with new standards,
- risks associated with integrations and automation.
Based on this, we recommend specific corrective and developmental actions that minimize business risk.
Recommendations:
- Update CMS and plugins regularly – preferably in a continuous model, with testing in a staging environment.
- Implement monitoring and backups – rapid response to incidents is key.
- Plan technological development – don’t wait for a failure, invest in development and security.
- Use audits and consultations – independent assessment allows detecting risks that your team doesn’t see.
Summary
Lack of CMS updates is not just a technical problem – it is a real threat to your business. In an era of increasing cyberattacks, legal requirements (GDPR), and customer expectations, security and technological development must be a priority for the board, not just the IT department.
Keywords: CMS updates, e-commerce security, technology audit, business risk, Magento, Shopware, Sylius, store optimization, e-commerce consulting, B2B platforms, sales platforms