Microsoft Windows Server 2012 unsupported from 10 October 2023

Microsoft’s Windows Server 2012, one of the most widely used server systems, is reaching the end of its support lifecycle on 10 October 2023. This means Microsoft will no longer provide updates, security patches, and technical support beyond this date.

If you are are still running this operating system, it will have implications for your business.

Open to cyber threats – you are putting your business at risk

Hackers and cybercriminals are always looking for vulnerabilities to exploit, and are particularly targeting SMEs. As Microsoft will no longer be providing regular security updates, your business is at risk of cyber attacks, data breaches, and other security incidents. The longer you leave this, the more the risk increases.

It is vital that you upgrade to a newer, supported version.

Performance issues – your systems will be slower and less effective

Downtime costs your business money. Using an unsupported operating system means that you and your staff may experience performance issues and compatibility problems. Without the latest updates and patches, your operating system won’t function to its full potential, leading to slower performance, crashes, and other technical issues.

You also run the risk of the software and applications you are using, such as accounting software and CRM systems, becoming incompatible with your old operating system. If your business continues to use Windows Server 2012 you may find it increasingly difficult to keep up with the latest technologies and software updates.

Compliance with your regulators (and your clients)

Organisations that fail to upgrade their operating system may also face compliance issues. If your sector has strict regulatory requirements for data privacy and security, running an unsupported operating system may not comply with these regulations. This could result in fines, legal liabilities, and damage to the company’s reputation.

Your clients also expect their data to be safe and processed following regulations and your data policies. If your clients’ data is breached, the reputational damage could be irreversible.

What are your options?

A new physical server

The most obvious solution is to upgrade to a newer version of Windows Server, such as Windows Server 2019 or 2022, which are currently supported and will receive security updates and technical support for several years to come.

Migrate to the cloud

Depending on your business objectives, we may advise you to consider moving your applications and data to the cloud. This gives you improved security, scalability, and flexibility. Read more about the pros and cons here >>

We have worked with a number of our clients over the past few years with cloud-based solutions, such as Azure and Microsoft 365, giving them a secure and reliable platform. Read more>>

What happens if I do nothing?

If you don’t upgrade to a newer, supported version of Windows Server it could leave your business vulnerable to security threats, performance issues, compatibility problems, compliance issues, and other risks. By recognising the importance of upgrading your systems, you are protecting your business, your staff, your clients, and ultimately, your bottom line.

As well as the risks we have already identified, your IT partner or internal team are unlikely to be able to support your server without the support offered by Microsoft. This means that there is a part of your IT infrastructure that will be completely unsupported.

Get in touch today and we can start planning your migration to a new operating system or cloud-based solution giving you the peace of mind that your systems are safe, secure, and working effectively.