Is your organization still running on Windows Server 2012 or 2012 R2? If so, it's time to act. Microsoft has announced the end-of-support for these versions, which means they will no longer receive critical patches or security updates after October 10, 2023. This leaves your systems vulnerable to potential security threats and exposes your business to various risks.
Why is this important?
Security Vulnerabilities – With end-of-support approaching, Microsoft will no longer release security updates for Windows Server 2012 and 2012 R2. This lack of support means that any newly discovered vulnerabilities or exploits will go unpatched, leaving your servers exposed to potential attacks.
Compatibility Challenges – As time goes on, third-party software vendors and hardware manufacturers may stop providing support for their products on older operating systems. This can result in compatibility issues, limiting your ability to upgrade or add new technologies to your infrastructure.
Compliance and Regulatory Issues – Many industries have strict compliance requirements that mandate the use of supported software versions. By continuing to operate on an unsupported operating system, you risk non-compliance, which can lead to severe consequences, including financial penalties and damage to your organization's reputation.
What this means for you
Companies still operating on Windows Server 2012 or 2012 R2 have several options to stay protected and compliant with Microsoft.
If you’re a current Managed Services client of BIG, you will be contacted by your Business Development Associate to review upgrade options specific to your network and business needs.
If you’re a non-Managed Services Client, or if you’re new here, don’t worry! We’re here to help. Complete the form to schedule a consultation.
FAQs
What does end-of-support mean?
Microsoft Lifecycle Policy offers 10 years of support (5 years for Mainstream Support and 5 years for Extended Support) for Business and Developer products (such as SQL Server and Windows Server). As per the policy, after the end of the Extended Support period there will be no patches or security updates, which may cause security and compliance issues, and expose customers’ applications and business to serious security risks.
What do Extended Security Updates include?
For SQL Server 2008/2008 R2 and 2012: Extended Security Updates include provision of Security Updates rated “critical” for a maximum of three years after end-of-support.
For Windows Server 2008/2008 R2 and 2012/2012 R2: Extended Security Updates include provision of Security Updates and “Security Update Severity Rating System” rated “critical” and “important,” for a maximum of three years after end-of-support.
Extended Security Updates will be distributed if and when available. Extended Security Updates do not include technical support, but you may use other Microsoft support plans to get assistance on your Server 2008/2008 R2 and 2012/ 2012 R2 questions on workloads covered by Extended Security Updates.
Extended Security Updates do not include new features, customer-requested non-security hotfixes, or design change requests. However, Microsoft may include non-security fixes as deemed necessary.
Can I still get Extended Security updates?
No, the deadline to purchase updates was October 2022.