You may have read that Windows Server 2012 and 2012 R2 will become ‘end-of-life’ on 23 October 2023 – from that date, Microsoft will be ending its extended support on the server operating system. The vendor announced its notice period in 2018, which means that the five-year ‘extended support’ period will elapse next year.
Although this may seem like a long way off, it is worth considering your plan as next autumn will be here faster than we think!
Windows Server 2012 R2 – why does the announcement matter?
Post-October 2023, organisations using Microsoft Server 2012 R2 will not be able to access patch updates, security updates or bug fixes. The result is that with hackers looking to pounce on all kinds of vulnerabilities, data on the server will be more vulnerable to cyber threats.
It’s essential to take a proactive approach to migrating your server operating system – and by starting now you will have plenty of time to work with.
After Microsoft’s support ends
In simple terms, after October 2023, Microsoft will move on and wash their hands of Windows Server 2012 – this means it will offer no support or ongoing protection for the product.
Unsupported servers leave the door open to hackers, potentially creating a threat to data on that server but also the entire organisation’s network.
Take action
Although it may seem early days, it is wise to think about your plan for upgrading to the latest IT infrastructure. As well as fending off potential security threats, modernising your environment can also create cost savings and efficiency gains.
Assessing the age of your current servers is a good start for preparing your migration plan. If you are running outdated servers or applications, a complete audit may be wise.
How can Complete IT Systems help?
Our skilled team of experts can work with you to design a roadmap to migrate from Windows Server 2012 R2, and to assess your infrastructure against your business requirements.
Read more about our professional services here, or about our infrastructure provision here.
