Are you aware that hardware and software have expiration dates?

The term “use by date” is commonly associated with food and medication as it indicates the date after which these products are no longer safe to consume. However, it’s important to note that hardware and software can also expire.

Technology is always advancing and evolving, making what was once innovative obsolete in a short amount of time. Although some people may not pay attention to outdated technology, using it can pose security and privacy issues for your company. Outdated technology lacks modern security features and may not receive patches from the manufacturer’s support team, leaving your device and data vulnerable to attacks. Additionally, such technology may not be compliant with current privacy regulations, putting your data at risk.

To avoid these issues, it’s crucial to keep your hardware and software up-to-date. It’s also important to have a plan in place for when your systems reach their expiration date to protect your business from the negative impacts of outdated technology.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 now no longer supported by Microsoft, which means that as of April 2023, users have not receive technical assistance, bug fixes, or security updates. Continuing to use Office 2013 beyond this date can pose significant security risks, such as malware, phishing attacks, ransomware, and data theft.

To keep businesses secure, we have recommended to our clients that they migrate to Microsoft 365, a cloud-based service that enhances employee productivity and collaboration without the risk of using unsupported software. With its subscription-based model, Microsoft automatically patches vulnerabilities to protect your systems from potential threats. These updates take place in the background, so they won’t disrupt your workflow or compromise your security.  So if your still running this ‘expired software” the time is now to update.

A stitch in time saves nine

Outdated software can leave your business vulnerable to cyberattacks and data breaches, which have become increasingly prevalent in recent years. Despite the global recognition of the importance of cybersecurity, many organizations are still not taking sufficient precautions to protect themselves. It’s 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 that have internal security measures in place. 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 expert teams 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 supported technologies is one of the most advantageous steps you can take to enhance your business’s cybersecurity.

Need help?

If you’ve made it this far, you’re likely determined to safeguard your organization against outdated software or hardware used by your team. However, doing so without expert assistance can be challenging. That’s where we can help.

With our teams experience and skills, we can guide you on how to help secure your business and equip you with the necessary tools to minimize any surprises caused by outdated software or hardware. If you’re interested, please don’t hesitate to reach out to 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.”