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Microsoft recently announced it will discontinue support of its Windows Server 2012/2012 R2 operating system as of October 10, 2023. Organizations currently using one or more of these servers should begin planning, budgeting, and strategizing around how they will address their server environment.
What does the Microsoft announcement mean?
After October 10, 2023, Microsoft will no longer provide security updates, non-security updates, bug fixes, or technical support for the products. Once the end-of-life date hits, Microsoft washes its hands of anything related to that system, so you are on your own—and highly vulnerable to cyber attacks. Continuing to operate in an unsupported environment can also expose an organization to compliance issues. Healthcare organizations, for example, would be noncompliant per HIPPA guidelines.
What are my options?
Microsoft recommends customers migrate applications and workloads to their Azure Cloud. In doing so, you will be able to run your systems securely while also removing existing on-premise server equipment from your environment.
Customers that require an on-premises solution may upgrade to Windows Server 2022 and continue to operate in that manner. Eligible customers with Software Assurance under an Enterprise Agreement may also purchase an Extended Security Update (ESU) for Windows Server 2012/2012 R2.
Whether to move to the Cloud or upgrade on-site server equipment will depend on the organization and their specific needs. In terms of costs, there are recurring fees associated with the cloud, but no capital investment, depreciation considerations, or hardware replacement expenses. In addition, the Cloud is more flexible; you pay for storage and processing power needed as opposed to an on-premises server where you might be buying more power than is being used.
What are my next steps?
While Microsoft will continue to support the servers until October 10, 2023, organizations should be planning on how they will move forward. If you have questions or concerns, our Vertilocity team can evaluate the specifics of your environment and discuss your options with you. To help you plan your strategy or validate your decision, call us at 412-220-5744, or email me at jkrentz@vertilocity.com.
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