Who does this affect?
EOSL (End of Service Life) impacts everyone, but small businesses are the primary targets of cyber-attacks. Why? Small businesses normally lack hardened processes to ensure systems are patched, thus making them more vulnerable. About 80% of small and medium businesses don’t employ good patching practices.
What happens when you ignore updates?
When software and hardware providers retire versions (eg. Microsoft Windows Sever 2008 and 2008R2, SQL Server 2008R2, Windows 7), they are no longer supplied the proper updates to match the innovation of hackers. This becomes a cyber security issue because it opens your business to the possibility of:
- Temporary or permanent loss of sensitive or proprietary information
- Disruption to operations/downtime
- Financial losses incurred to restore systems and files
- Inability to transact business
- Supply chain and manufacturing stalls
- Harm to an organization’s reputation
What can you do to protect yourself?
A business must take immediate action to plan and architect a strategy. The risk one runs if ignored can cripple your business. Some considerations that may assist with this process:
- Identify OS versions with a Network Detective Scan
- Advisory on planning to mitigate risk
- Schedule upgrades to minimize downtime
- Maintain thorough life-cycle management
ZAG is ready to assist.
