Effective today, security patch releases for Windows Server 2008, Small Business Server (SBS) 2011 and Windows 7 are over. Microsoft will no longer address new vulnerabilities.
Keeping these unsupported operating systems in place will leave your company with a large security flaw.
Hackers are salivating at the numerous, upcoming opportunities to slip past your company’s defenses and get their hands on your data.
Unsupported operating systems will mean non-compliance with data security and privacy regulations.
So what are your immediate next steps?
Do your computers or servers – physical or virtual - still run Windows Server 2008 and Windows 7?
If so, determine thecriticality of each system
Prioritize replacing the systems (quickly, though carefully) that have the most important roles
Develop a plan with your IT department for retiring or upgrading remaining unsupported systems
Remain vigilant with antivirus and other security tools in order to detect any anomalous behavior