Can your business risk walking the technology tightrope?
Kalamazoo IT
On 14 January 2020, Microsoft discontinued all support for Windows 7 OS and Windows Server 2008, which means there are no more bug fixes, security patches, updates, online or telephone support available, leaving businesses that are still using these systems at significant risk.
Too many organisations are walking a technology tightrope and still relying on Windows 7
In February 2021, Tech Radar reported that one in three of the 1.37million laptops and computers in the NHS were still running on Windows 7.
In April 2021, Security Magazine reported that 22 per cent of all PC users in the UK were still using Windows 7 OS even though Microsoft withdrew support this operating system on 14 January 2020.
So, what is the risk?
With your unsupported products and no more technical updates, bug fixes or security patches, you are leaving your business vulnerable. Without security updates, you are instantly at risk of cyber crime and losing your first line of defence; there’s no protection from hackers and your business could balance on an unsupported server. In addition to this, you are at risk of unexpected maintenance costs for ageing hardware and potential downtime if you do not keep your IT systems up to date.
On Time Tech outlines the following risks of still relying on Windows 7 past the end-of-support date:
- Increased risk for malware and/or ransomware infections due to the fact that there will be no security patches or bug fixes released. When an exploit becomes known, cybercriminals will be able to attack that vulnerability with ease.
- More crashes and/or unexpected downtime as outdated technology tends to lag, crash, and fail more often than new technology. This will leave employees unable to get work done as efficiently as possible.
- Problems with software compatibility because most software vendors don’t create programs that support outdated operating systems – meaning you will likely experience even greater productivity issues.
- Higher cost to maintain and support as outdated technology becomes more expensive to run and you will not receive technical support from the manufacturer. It costs almost double to repair a system that’s more than four years old!
What can you do to protect yourself?
Ask yourself, what would you do if your IT systems totally collapsed overnight? Can you carry on running your business, what would be the longer-term impact?
It’s simply not worth the risk - You should act now and upgrade your PCs and laptops to Windows 10 and upgrade to Windows server 2016 or 2019, especially with the very real and increased threat of ransomware, malware and cyber security attacks.
Ask for help from the professionals
At Kalamazoo IT we are offering a free consultation which can save you valuable time and resource ensuring that you have a seamless upgrade path that exactly meets your specific IT requirements.
And for every new customer that signs up for our managed services, we will donate £100 to The Giles’ Trust, supporting brain tumour research at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham.
Call: 0121 312 0801 Email: enquiries@kalamazooit.co.uk
