Today the world will say goodbye to Windows 7 and Microsoft Server 2008 R2. Well, almost, Microsoft has ended support and will no longer provide updates from 14 January 2020. It’s the final showdown for these secure and trustworthy operating systems that have been on their last legs for the past 5 years. As with any end of life for operating systems, there are some options if you’re still on these platforms.
In this article, we will discuss the implications for sticking with Win 7 or Server 2008 R2 and options to upgrade and protect your business.
The end of Win 7 & Server 2008 R2
It may come as a surprise to many IT managers, but the end of these systems has been general knowledge for some time. Microsoft has stopped adding new features since 2015, and as of today, they will no longer new patches or updates ever again.
It doesn’t mean that Win 7 or Server 2008 R2 environments will stop working immediately. You will still be able to use the platforms, but if you need to stay compliant and secure, it’s time to upgrade.
Without Microsoft’s updates and patches, users will no longer receive up to date protection from security vulnerabilities such as new viruses and malware. Making them easy prey for hackers and cybercriminals.
As of today, you need to get something done. You should prepare your business for the switch to the latest operating system or supported cloud platform that will keep your users secure and business compliant.
Millions of workstations are currently using Windows 7
Research shows that almost 48% of small, medium-sized businesses and enterprises still use an unsupported or operating system that are approaching the end of life.
One of the primary reasons companies have chosen not to upgrade to the latest operating system is because the applications they use are not compatible with the newest version of the operating system. While this was once a valid excuse not to upgrade, there is now a mirid of choices available to ensure these applications are used in a secure environment.
Upgrading is now required
Now that Windows 7 and Server 2008 R2 are at their end of life, other software application vendors will stop supporting these operating systems, your applications will start to become incompatible.
If your day to day applications become unstable or refuse to work on your current environment, it’ll start to cause more than headaches; your entire infrastructure will become a security risk.
Cybercriminals are continually looking for ways to take advantage of exploits. This is why Microsoft has constantly provided security and patch upgrades. Every patch offers several security and bug fixes. However, cybercriminals are always hard at work to find new ways.
It’s a constant cycle, where hackers find new exploits and Microsoft’s developers are patching these issues. When an operating system is no longer supported, it’s users become vulnerable.
The risk globally is expected to be rather nasty once support ends. It’s projected that business costs will run into the billions of dollars, due to lost productivity and data due to companies that lag behind the push to upgrade.
What can be done?
Moving forward, you have three options for upgrading or securing your operating systems:
- Upgrade to Windows 10/Server 2019
Upgrading to the latest operating system, for your desktop or server environments is now more accessible than ever before. It would be best if you spoke with a migration expert to provide a seamless migration. - Move to a supported cloud platform
The latest cloud platforms allow you to run your applications in a supported and secure cloud environment. It would be best if you talked with a cloud expert who can help secure your systems. - Analyse your infrastructure
If your technology is the end of life, now is the perfect time to assess your current state and build a strategy to take your business forward.
Don’t get left behind.
As of today, it is even more essential to engage with an IT expert to upgrade your technology. Every day, the need for an upgrade becomes more urgent. Reach out to us for an obligation free quote and start the upgrade process today.