Microsoft has announced the end of support for Windows Server 2012 and Windows Server 2012 R2 on October 10, 2023. This means that these products will no longer receive any security updates, bug fixes, technical support, or online technical content updates from Microsoft after this date.
You might recall that Windows Server 2012 hit its end of support date back in 2018, however, Microsoft decided to extend its support for an additional five years. In ANP's customer base, 25% of servers in production are still running 2012. The cyber criminals will be focusing their efforts on exploiting these unsupported, unpatched legacy servers. Don't wait until it's too late!
What does this mean for anyone who is still running Windows Server 2012?
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
If you are still running on either Windows Server 2012 or Windows Server 2012 R2, YESTERDAY was the time to start planning to upgrade!
On-premises customers who decide to do nothing and keep running either Windows Server 2012 or Windows Server 2012 R2 after they reach end of support will be exposed to phishing attacks and security breaches.
RELATED: Top 10 Most Damaging Cyber Attacks on Small Businesses & How to Stop Them
While the deadline is not until October 2023, it’s important to talk to your IT service provider today to develop a plan to migrate your existing Windows Server 2012 (R2) to Windows Server 2022.
3 things to keep in mind as you begin planning your system upgrade:
- Always verify application compatibility. Some legacy applications will not be compatible with the latest and greatest, in which case, you will need to make a business decision as to what direction to go. If you fall into this category, more likely than not, Windows Server 2016 or 2019 will be a viable option. Make sure the research on this is done in advance!
- If you’re also running a database, make sure that the SQL database and Server operating system are compatible with your application.
- If you have recently deployed a 2016 or 2019 server, you may already own licensing which entitles you to upgrade from 2012 to 2019. This could be a real cost saver and guide your upgrade decisions. But if it’s a 2012 domain controller, don’t forget you’ll need to buy windows client access licenses.
October will be here before you know it. Do not wait to contact your IT service provider, you do not want to get caught in a backlog of migrations! If you have questions about your upgrade, need help with planning or doing the system migration, talk to your Virtual CIO or contact ANP today at (215) 572 - 0111. We’re here to help!