It's easy to view PC upgrades as simply cosmetic. Companies are getting new designs, faster processors, and possibly thinner chassis. But while these improvements are certainly welcome, the real significance of the device upgrade strategy goes much deeper. By investing in advanced AI-enabled PCs, companies are building a safer, more productive and sustainable future. How we celebrate Cyber Security Awareness Month And Microsoft Windows 10 support has endedNow is the time to explore how a modern PC strategy plays an important role in keeping organizations safe.
While the shift to hybrid work has allowed employees to achieve greater flexibility, IT teams have also faced an expanded attack surface. Endpoints are no longer behind the corporate firewall. Instead, they connect from home networks, public Wi-Fi networks, and everywhere in between, making them a prime target for cybercriminals. As businesses adjust and improve remote work policies, ensuring the security of all devices is of utmost importance.
From phishing to fraudulent websites, cybercrime is more common today than ever. UK Government Cyber Security Breach Study found that 43% of businesses experienced a cybersecurity breach or attack in the last 12 months. Our recent research with Intel UK found that for nearly half (46%) of IT decision makers, news of a high-profile cyber breach is the primary motivator for upgrading their PC fleet—more so than the operating system's age itself. As threats become more sophisticated and costly, organizations are having to rethink all IT solutions. through the prism of safety first. This is where a strategic approach to the PC lifecycle comes into play, turning a routine update into a critical security update.
Hidden risks of an aging fleet
Keeping old devices for too long may seem like a cost-saving measure, but it often creates hidden risks. Potentially millions of people are exposed to serious cyber threats as they will no longer receive important security updates, leaving them vulnerable to new viruses and cyber attacks.
It's important to note that these legacy devices do not have built-in neural processing units (NPUs) to safely and efficiently run AI workloads on the device itself. By processing sensitive data locally, AI machines reduce the attack surface, improve data controls to comply with regulations such as GDPR, and increase resilience to threats targeting cloud applications.
Additionally, Windows 11 was designed with security as a priority and requires hardware. with features such as Trusted Platform Modulee (TPM) 2.0. This chip provides hardware-based security features, such as the creation and storage of cryptographic keys, that are much more secure than software-only solutions. Trying to run modern software on outdated hardware not only reduces performance, but also leaves critical security holes. Without basic hardware support, organizations cannot take full advantage of the advanced security features offered by new operating systems, leaving them vulnerable to cyberattacks.
The rise of on-device AI and small language models
The conversation around AI is quickly moving away from massive, cloud-exclusive models towards a more decentralized approach. Spread of small language models (SLMs) trained for specific tasks enable powerful AI to run directly on the endpoint. This allows organizations to use AI for sensitive operations, such as financial analysis, code development, or reviewing sensitive documents, without the data ever leaving the device.
This shift to on-device AI is not a distant future; this is happening now. However, this is entirely dependent on the availability of suitable equipment. AI computers with dedicated NPUs are specifically designed to run these SLMs and support a new class of secure, private, low-latency AI applications. For enterprises, this means that upgrading PCs is no longer just about staying current—it's about preparing for fundamental changes in how enterprise AI will be deployed.
How modern PCs help create a secure foundation
Attackers are persistent, but a modern AI-powered PC provides a critical line of defense in a zero-trust world. Security for on-device AI processing is built on hardware and built-in security features that run below the operating system. This provides more robust protection against attacks aimed at compromising software security.
In everyday use, features such as BIOS and firmware verification ensure the device is protected from unauthorized access, and secure credential storage protects against identity attacks, one of the biggest challenges for today's organizations. Even before they reach an employee, modern PCs from trusted suppliers can include additional supply chain security measures. For example, a factory-generated digital certificate that allows organizations to verify the integrity of components and protect them from unauthorized access. It is trust at the hardware level that makes on-device AI a viable and secure strategy.
Renewal strategy for a sustainable future
Considering PC upgrades as part of an organization's security strategy helps build a more resilient and productive enterprise. This is an opportunity to move beyond tactical upgrades and adopt a security-focused hardware strategy that works in the age of artificial intelligence. This approach provides tangible benefits: it reduces the burden on IT teams, improves the employee experience, and most importantly, strengthens the overall security of the organization in an ever-changing threat landscape. Our research shows that upgrading modern devices running Windows 11 can result in a 62% reduction in security incidents, demonstrating the effectiveness of an integrated security-focused hardware strategy.
Now is the time for business leaders to look at their PC fleet through a new lens. In an era where artificial intelligence is disrupting every industry, your employees are the first line of defense, and equipping them with the right tools is critical. A fleet of AI computers is not just a collection of faster devices; it is a fundamental component of a robust and forward-looking security strategy.
Louise Quennell is a Senior Director in the UK Client Solutions team. Dell Technologies
