The Most Dangerous Phrase in IT: “That’s How We’ve Always Done It”

There it is.
That one sentence that brings progress to a screeching halt.
The five words that stall innovation and keep your business stuck in neutral:

“That’s how we’ve always done it.”

If you work in IT or have ever tried to implement meaningful change, you’ve heard it more than you’d like to admit. It’s a comfort phrase. A safety blanket. And it’s quietly draining productivity, profit, and security from your company.

Let’s call it what it is: an excuse.

Comfort Isn’t a Strategy

We walk into businesses every week, especially in manufacturing, and see the same story play out:

• A 15-year-old server is still chugging along in the corner of the plant
  
• Critical processes are written in legacy software that only one person understands
  
• Passwords are shared across departments because “it’s just easier.”
  
• Equipment running on Windows XP or Windows 7, fully exposed inside a flat network
  

When we suggest changes to reduce risk and modernize operations, the answer is usually the same:

“That’s just how we do it.”
“We’ve never had a problem.”
“We don’t have time to switch.”
“It still works fine.”

And sure, maybe it does. Until it doesn’t.

The Hidden Cost of Doing Nothing

Sticking with the familiar feels safe, but the risks are real and growing. Every outdated system or process in your environment is a ticking clock. You just don’t know when it will run out.

• That file server might not back up properly
  
• That firewall probably hasn’t been patched in years
  
• That outdated CNC controller might be sitting on the same network as your HR and finance systems
  
• And that “we’ve always done it this way” mindset? That’s the weakest link in your entire cybersecurity chain
  

One phishing email or hardware failure could bring the whole thing down.

Why Resistance to Change Happens

Let’s be honest. Change is uncomfortable. Especially in industrial environments where uptime is sacred and downtime is a dirty word.

But comfort doesn’t equal safety.

Resistance often comes from fear. Fear of making things worse. Fear of disrupting workflows. Fear of letting go of what you know.

The problem is, fear doesn’t protect your business.  Smart action does.

What To Do Instead

If you hear that phrase, “That’s how we’ve always done it,” ask these questions:

• Why did we start doing it this way? Is that still relevant today?
  
• What would it look like if we improved this process?
  
• Is this process helping us grow, or just helping us survive?
  
• Who owns this process? What happens if that person walks out the door?
  

 Then act.
Segment your network.
Retire the risky systems.
Update what you can, and protect what you can’t.

And most importantly, start talking about why change is necessary before a breach, not after.

It’s Time to Ask the Hard Questions

So, let’s get real.
What outdated process is your company holding onto for no good reason?

If you’re not sure where to look or you know what’s broken but don’t know how to fix it, we’re here to help.

At Blue Net, we work with manufacturing leaders who are done relying on hope and habit. We replace outdated systems with secure, sustainable solutions that support how your business runs today.

Because the riskiest thing you can do?

Is nothing at all.