Mark your calendar! On October 10th of this year, the Windows Server 2012 and Server 2012 R2 operating systems will no longer receive security updates, technical support, bug fixes, or online content updates. If you’re currently using these operating systems, this is a crucial topic to discuss.
With no ongoing security updates, your Windows Server environment runs the very real risk of being exploited by hackers. Microsoft is vigilant about security updates for their supported software. They are dedicated to maintaining the security of supported products and release patches quickly when new exploits are discovered.
However, once Microsoft stops support on October 10th, all new exploits are shared immediately on the internet. Your business will be exposed to significant security risks and will fail compliance checks without a suitable replacement in place.
Why is this so important?
- Security Vulnerabilities & Risks: Over time, new security vulnerabilities are discovered in operating systems as hackers and researchers identify weaknesses. When the end of support is reached, no further security updates are provided. This means that any newly discovered vulnerabilities will remain unpatched, exposing the systems to cyberattacks, data breaches, and system compromises.
- Compliance and Regulatory Requirements: Many industries have compliance and regulatory requirements that mandate the use of supported and regularly patched software. Continuing to run an unsupported operating system can result in non-compliance which may have legal and financial consequences. It can also lead to reputational damage, as customers and partners may lose trust in an organization's ability to safeguard their data.
- Lack of Technical Support: Along with the discontinuation of security updates, Microsoft also ceases providing technical support for these older operating systems. Without assistance from Microsoft's support team, your servers can experience prolonged downtime and reduced system stability.
What should you do?
To ensure the ongoing security and stability of their systems, your organization should migrate to newer, supported servers such as Windows Server 2019 or later. These supported versions receive regular security updates and feature improvements, providing better protection against emerging threats. Migrating to a supported system may require careful planning, testing, and resource allocation. As your Managed IT Services partner, PCS is here to help you every step of the way.
If you need options, PCS can help:
- Review your current infrastructure
- Procure Microsoft licensing
- Spin up a new virtual server if your existing hardware will support it
- Buy new server hardware if needed
- Migrate to the Cloud
When it comes to Windows Server end-of-life, PCS will provide the assistance you need to successfully migrate to a secure new server environment. Contact us today!