Microsoft has reminded users that Windows Server 2012 and 2012 R2 will no longer be supported after October 10, 2023. SQL Server 2012 also reached its end of support July 12, 2022. There are significant security risks that come with continuing to use server software that has reached end of life.
What Does End of Life Mean?
When Microsoft schedules software for end of support, it means they will no longer provide technical support for the product. It also means they will no longer issue security updates, regular software updates, or patches. When organizations continue to use these products after their lifecycle has ended, they put their entire network at risk. Cybercriminals take advantage of these weak points to infiltrate the network.
Microsoft is urging users to migrate their applications and workloads to Azure to continue to operate securely. According to Microsoft, “Azure SQL Managed Instance is fully managed and always updated (PaaS).” Microsoft is also encouraging organizations who require on-premises upgrades to move to Windows Server 2022 and SQL Server 2019.
Migration to Azure
Current users of Windows Server 2012 and 2012 R2 are urged to make the migration to Azure or Windows Server 2022 as soon as possible to ensure adequate security, including receiving regular security updates to help protect their networks from malicious attacks. It is already well past the time that users still employing SQL Server 2012 should be taking steps to upgrade to SQL Server 2019. SQL Server 2012 lost mainstream support from Microsoft in July 2022. Any organization still relying on the platform will not only encounter operational difficulties but are exposing their networks to security risks, as there is no support or patching available.
Act Now to Protect Your Organization from Windows 2012 Security Risks
If you are a current Windows Server 2012 or 2012 R2 user, or if you are still employing Server SQL 2012, and you don’t already have an upgrade plan in place, please contact your Client IT Manager or Account Manager to discuss the transition so that there is no lapse in your security coverage. Here at The ITeam, we understand that replacing hardware and software can be a daunting task, so if you have any questions at all, don’t hesitate to reach out to your ITeam Account or Client IT Manager to discuss your options. We are here to help make this as seamless and budget friendly as possible! Get in touch today.