Windows 7, Server 2008 and 2008 R2 security updates end January 2020

On January 14, 2020, support for Windows 7, Windows Server 2008, and 2008 R2 will end.

That means the end of regular security updates. Failure to update your desktop and server platforms running either Windows 7 or Server 2008 could result in compliance gaps or security attacks.

The risks are too significant to ignore. One in five organisations lose customers due to a cyberattack, and nearly 30% lose revenue from each attack. On average, due to poor security, it takes 196 days to identify a security breach—often too late. The expected cost of cybercrime to the global economy by 2022 is $8 trillion.

The modern work landscape is changing. There is a need for massive data growth, powerful insights into unstructured data, and analytics that drive digital transformation. End-of-support provides a chance for you to not only revisit your server infrastructure and ensure it is updated but also move it to the cloud, increasing performance and flexibility.

Surprisingly – you don’t have to upgrade to stay protected

With Windows 7 desktop operating systems, you will have to upgrade to Windows 10 to stay protected.

However, with Microsoft Azure, you don’t have to upgrade your server's 2008 operating system to stay protected. By migrating to Azure you’ll receive three years of Extended Security Updates at no additional charge, allowing you to upgrade to the new version when you are ready.

There are two clear options to choose from when it comes to the next step of moving provider:

1. Migrate to Azure. Migrate to Azure to receive the three years of Extended Security Updates and upgrade to a current version when you are ready. Use existing licenses and save up to 80% on Azure Virtual Machines with Azure Hybrid Benefit and Reserved Instances.

2. Upgrade on-premises to Server 2016. With the proper licensing and hardware in place, you can protect your environment by upgrading to Server 2016 before January 2020.

Azure is a flexible solution for servers approaching end-of-life. It can be staged or combined with existing on-premise servers. While this can be an advantage, it is often not necessary to move all of your on-premise infrastructure at once. You can choose what to migrate and when.

For more information, take a look at Microsoft’s end-of-life infographic.

Migrating to new systems and infrastructure may sound challenging, but OryxAlign has been migrating server applications to Azure for several years. Our team of technical specialists can co-ordinate and plan a migration to suit any organisation.

If you are unsure about your options and the correct next step, please don’t hesitate to contact us on 020 7605 7890.