Best practice for determine new software version on networking devices

Hello Everyone,

I have a general question on choosing new software versions for networking devices such as routers, switch, firewalls. I work mainly with Cisco and Juniper gear. Part of my job responsibility is review gear that is on older software and/or gear that are affected by vulnerabilities and determine the fix or upgrade to a new software version.

Cisco's software page has a "starred" release on some of their releases. What other things should I be looking at before determining which specific software to use? I like to validate that features will be supported.

Any tips that you guys have?

Thanks!