Hidden Dangers of Free Software in Security
The essential digital security checks to complete before deploying an access control solution
If a supplier of security products promises free software with no subscription or licensing fees ever, think carefully. Especially if it’s a fairly small organisation. It might sound appealing, but in reality, such offers can come with hidden risks, particularly around digital security.
What should you do?
Check the supplier’s cyber security policies and certifications:
- Do they hold Cyber Essentials?
- Are they registered with the ICO and compliant with GDPR?
- What encryption standards and PEN testing are in place?
REMEMBER: If software is built on a third-party platform (e.g. Microsoft Azure, AWS, Google Cloud, or other), certifications like ISO 27001 don’t automatically apply and the software itself still needs a separate audit.
Consider data security, software development and updates:
- If the software is free, how is it funded, maintained, and updated?
- Who controls and completes future development?
- If development is outsourced, who else might have access to sensitive data?
If it’s a one-off purchase without an ongoing SLA, how would you make sure liabilities are in place and you receive a service that you require?
Let’s talk about our Access+ platform and how it measures up:
- Developed fully in-house, with a dedicated team constantly improving both the platform and the app.
- Certified with Cyber Essentials, GDPR and ICO compliant, PEN tested regularly; plus strong encryption and secure cloud storage.
- Ongoing collaboration with partners and customers ensures updates and enhancements are aligned with their business needs.
- Trusted by clients with the highest cyber security standards, including government departments, local authorities, banks and retail organisations.
- Yes, there is a small subscription fee involved, but there’s also an SLA in place, so it’s our job to make sure you get the most out of our system!
So, whatever solution you go for, make sure you choose carefully since, in security, “free” often comes at a cost. Especially in commercial settings where the risks can far outweigh the savings.