The term “expiration date” is commonly associated with foods and medications, as it indicates the date after which these products are no longer safe to consume. However, it is important to note that hardware and software can also expire.
Technology is always advancing and evolving, making what was once innovative obsolete in no time. Although some people may not pay attention to outdated technology, its use can pose security and privacy concerns for your business. Outdated technology lacks modern security features and may not receive patches from the manufacturer’s support team, leaving your device and data vulnerable to attack. In addition, such technology may not comply with current privacy regulations, putting your data at risk.
To avoid these problems, it is essential to keep your hardware and software up to date. It’s also important to have a plan for when your systems reach expiration date to protect your business from the negative impacts of outdated technology.
End of support for Office 2013
An example of “expired software” is Microsoft Office 2013 that is no longer supported by Microsoft, which means that as of April 2023, users have not received technical support, bug fixes, or security updates. Continuing to use Office 2013 beyond this date can present significant security risks, such as malware, phishing attacks, ransomware, and data theft.
To keep businesses secure, we encourage our customers to migrate to Microsoft 365, a cloud-based service that improves employee productivity and collaboration without the risk of using unsupported software. With its subscription-based model, Microsoft automatically fixes vulnerabilities to protect your systems from potential threats. These updates happen in the background, so they won’t interrupt your workflow or compromise your security. So if you’re still running this ‘outdated software’, now is the time to upgrade.
A stitch in time saves nine
Outdated software can leave your business vulnerable to cyber attacks and data breaches, which have become increasingly common in recent years. Despite global recognition of the importance of cybersecurity, many organizations still don’t take enough precautions to protect themselves. It is a common mistake to assume that your cybersecurity measures are sufficient, as this misconception can leave your business exposed to threats.
One way to protect your business is by investing in supported technologies They have internal security measures. These technologies receive regular updates and patches from their support teams, making them more secure and effective. In the event of a data breach or cyberattack, supported technologies have teams of experts who can help you recover from the incident.
Remember that prevention is always better than cure when it comes to cybersecurity. Upgrading outdated software to compatible technologies is one of the most beneficial steps you can take to improve your business’s cybersecurity.
Need help?
If you’ve come this far, chances are you’re determined to protect your organization from outdated software or hardware that your computer uses. However, doing it without the help of an expert can be challenging. That is where we can help.
With the experience and skills of our team, we can guide you on how to help protect your business and equip you with the necessary tools to minimize surprises caused by outdated software or hardware. If you are interested, please do not hesitate to contact us for a no-obligation consultation.
In addition, to help you learn more about this topic, we have created this infographic for you to download. “What does end of support mean for your business?”
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