Why You Should Care About Your Out-of-date Hardware
It’s no secret that cybercriminals look for low-hanging fruit –easy access points to infiltrate networks and access corporate data. Leaving vulnerable devices in your organization is like leaving the door wide open to hackers and malicious threats. A perfect example: In January 2020, Microsoft announced it would stop providing free security updates and support to the Windows 7 operating system. While the company might still issue the occasional critical patch, without routine updates, your devices remain exposed.
“People could opt to pay for extended Windows 7 support, but really that’s just delaying the inevitable,” says Semple. “People need to make recommendations like the Windows 10 upgrade seriously and if their device allows, upgrade to the latest operating system. If a device is too old to handle the upgrade, that should tell you something—time for a new device.” Productivity is also something to consider when it comes to older devices. To be effective and efficient, your employees need adequate equipment.
As of September 2020, it was found that over 58 percent of Windows servers accessible from the internet were still running an operating system no longer supported by Microsoft—constituting a very real risk to the business. The majority of critical data within a company is concentrated and stored within the server environment, providing a key target for cybercriminals. Keeping server operating systems and business applications up to date helps prevent attacks caused by viruses, malware, and ransomware.
It is important to have a device refresh plan in place to ensure your organization (and your team) can function optimally and maintain adequate device security. We can help you determine how many devices within your organization are vulnerable and help you create a strategy for upgrades that makes sense for your business. Reach out today to discuss your options.