Vulnerabilities, flaws, hacks, loopholes. Microsoft is about to stop patching every single one of these and more by January 2020.
Microsoft will be ending its extended support for Windows 7 by January 2020. In less than two years, Microsoft will sever ties with the popular operating system, leaving organisations that are reliant on Windows 7 vulnerable to security threats. It is an onslaught few organisations can afford. A Kaspersky Lab report released in 2017 found that the average cost of a security breach was around $861 000. No business can pay that price without seriously impacting on growth, profitability and their reputation.
For those enterprises that have been sweating their assets, carrying the popular Windows 7 from system to system thanks to its ubiquity and quality, the time has come to draw a line and move upwards towards Windows 10. The latter is a rich and well-developed operating system that has sidestepped many of the challenges and issues presented by Windows 8 and delivers a seamless and secure user experience. Designed to follow an easy upgrade path and incorporating a plethora of enterprise security features, Windows 10 also supports the latest chipsets and receives regular updates to ensure it remains ahead of cyber threats.
For many businesses, the reality is that all office PCs still on Windows 7 will eventually need to be upgraded in the next two years, in anticipation for the complete roll out of the Windows 10 operating system, which works better on newer machines. According to Microsoft, new computers provide, on average, up to 28% faster startups [1], built-in security and more apps. To upgrade their technology, businesses are now faced with a massive capex cost that cannot be avoided, and there is also the need to ensure they remain aligned with legislative requirements, such as POPIA and GDPR, and that they protect themselves from the reputational and financial impact of a breach.
The question is, how can the business invest in an entire operating system shift without carrying too heavy a financial burden? The answer lies in leasing. The technology leasing model has evolved significantly since it first emerged in the late 1990s and now offers organisations a much richer menu of solutions than in the past. Instead of an upfront payment, leasing operates on a pay-as-you-go model, which takes a significant amount of pressure off the company, its finances and its IT department.
Leasing equips the enterprise with the ability to access the technology it needs without the capital outlay. Leading leasing companies like InnoVent, which offers subsidised finance, allow for even better budgeting and investment. InnoVent includes a buyback value so that the total costs are reduced and the business only pays for what it uses. On top of the financial benefits, there are the technological ones. The business doesn't have to sweat the outdated equipment to save costs. Instead, the pay-per-use model offers complete scalability and flexibility on demand.
Saying goodbye to Windows 7 isn't going to be easy, not just because of the cost. It was the most popular and widely used operating system in Microsoft's stable. But its time has come and it is essential that the business replace it with a system that's scalable, secure and enterprise-ready. Fortunately, the business doesn't need to fret and worry about the costs involved to move to Windows 10. Businesses can upgrade on a leasing model and get new IT equipment, the best Microsoft software and the most reliable technology, all within budget constraints and on demand.
For more information on leasing, visit the InnoVent web site.
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