diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 5a89e54..0900fbb 100755
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ Simplification of a 2D-polyline or a 3D-polyline.
     * either by implementing an interface
     * or by providing a helper extracting the coordinates
   * Leaves the objects untouched, just creates a new array referencing the simplified points
-  * requires Java 5
+  * requires Java 8
   * Maven Build
   * JUnit-tested
     * 94% lines covered
diff --git a/pom.xml b/pom.xml
index c247584..6bb384c 100755
--- a/pom.xml
+++ b/pom.xml
@@ -21,13 +21,14 @@
 
     <properties>
         <project.build.sourceEncoding>UTF-8</project.build.sourceEncoding>
+        <java-version>1.8</java-version>
     </properties>
 
     <dependencies>
         <dependency>
             <groupId>junit</groupId>
             <artifactId>junit</artifactId>
-            <version>4.11</version>
+            <version>4.12</version>
             <scope>test</scope>
         </dependency>
     </dependencies>
@@ -77,16 +78,16 @@
             <plugin>
                 <groupId>org.apache.maven.plugins</groupId>
                 <artifactId>maven-compiler-plugin</artifactId>
-                <version>2.3.2</version>
+                <version>3.8.1</version>
                 <configuration>
-                    <source>1.5</source>
-                    <target>1.5</target>
+                    <source>${java-version}</source>
+                    <target>${java-version}</target>
                 </configuration>
             </plugin>
             <plugin>
                 <groupId>org.apache.maven.plugins</groupId>
                 <artifactId>maven-source-plugin</artifactId>
-                <version>2.1.2</version>
+                <version>3.1.0</version>
                 <executions>
                     <execution>
                         <id>attach-sources</id>
@@ -99,7 +100,7 @@
             <plugin>
                 <groupId>org.apache.maven.plugins</groupId>
                 <artifactId>maven-javadoc-plugin</artifactId>
-                <version>2.9.1</version>
+                <version>3.1.1</version>
                 <configuration>
                     <quiet>true</quiet>
                     <nonavbar>true</nonavbar>
@@ -131,7 +132,7 @@
                     <plugin>
                         <groupId>org.apache.maven.plugins</groupId>
                         <artifactId>maven-gpg-plugin</artifactId>
-                        <version>1.4</version>
+                        <version>1.6</version>
                         <executions>
                             <execution>
                                 <id>sign-artifacts</id>