What Is App Fatigue & Why Is It a Security Issue?

The number of apps and web tools that employees use on a regular basis continues to increase. Most departments have about 40-60 different digital tools that they use. 71% of employees feel they use so many apps that it makes work more complex.

• Software apps on your computer.
• Web-based SaaS tools.
• Websites where you’ve allowed alerts.
• Mobile apps and tools.
• Email banners.
• Text messages ·
• Team communication tools

Some employees are getting the same notification on two different devices. This just adds to the problem. This leads to many issues that impact productivity and cybersecurity. Besides alert bombardment, every time the boss introduces a new app, that means a new password. Employees are already juggling about 191 passwords. They use at least 154 of them sometime during the month.

How Does App Fatigue Put Companies at Risk?

Employees Begin Ignoring Updates

You might feel behind schedule when digital alerts keep interrupting your work. Because they are not perceived as urgent, small tasks end up being neglected. clicking to install an app update, for example. When there are too many app alerts, employees tend to ignore them. They might quickly click away from updates when they appear. They don’t know how much time it will take and feel they don’t have it right now. It is risky to disregard app updates on a device. A large number of those updates contain crucial security patches for discovered vulnerabilities. The device and its network are more vulnerable when they are not installed. It gets simpler to fall victim to a successful cyberattack.

Employees Reuse Passwords (and They’re Often Weak)

Another security casualty of app fatigue is password security. The more SaaS accounts someone must create, the more likely they are to reuse passwords. It’s estimated that passwords are typically reused 64% of the time.

Credential breach is a key driver of cloud data breaches. Hackers can easily crack weak passwords. The same password used several times leaves many accounts at risk.

Employees May Turn Off Alerts

Some alerts are okay to turn off. For example, do you really need to know every time someone responds to a group thread? Or just when they @name you? But, turning off important security alerts is not good. There comes a breaking point when one more push notification can push someone over the edge. They may turn off all the alerts they can across all apps. The problem with this is that in the mix of alerts are important ones. Such as an anti-malware app warning about a newly found virus.

What’s the Answer to App Fatigue?

It’s not realistic to just go backward in time before all these apps were around. But you can put a strategy in place that puts people in charge of their tech, and not the other way around.

Streamline Your Business Applications

Fewer apps are preferable from a productivity and security perspective. There is less risk the fewer apps you have. Additionally, the fewer passwords and notifications to remember. Check your tools to see if there are any redundancies there. Many businesses use two or more apps that can perform the same task. Use an all-encompassing platform, such as Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace. Users only need one login to access the various work tools on these platforms.

Have Your IT Team Set up Notifications

It’s difficult for users to know what types of notifications are the most important. Set up their app notifications for them. This ensures they aren’t bombarded yet are still getting the important ones.

Automate Application Updates

A cybersecurity best practice is to automate device and software updates. This takes the process out of employees’ hands. It enhances productivity by removing unnecessary updates from their view. Automating device updates through a managed services solution improves security. mitigates the chance there will be a vulnerable app putting your network at risk.

Open a Two-Way Communication About Alerts

Employees may never turn off an alert because they’re afraid they might get in trouble. Managers may not even realize constant app alert interruptions are hurting productivity. Communicate with employees and let them know they can communicate with you. Discuss how to use alerts effectively. As well as the best ways to manage alerts for a better and more productive workday.

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