Nearly two years ago, Microsoft stopped supporting Windows Server 2003. At that point, the program was 11 years old and it was simply time to turn it out to pasture. Microsoft sent out end of support notifications, had countdowns going for end of support, and instructed users on how they could migrate and why it would be worth it.
Even with all of these warnings, many users are still running on Microsoft Server 2003, two years after the last security patch was issued.
Running Windows Server 2003 means no security updates, non-compliance, and increased operational costs.
Security
Because Windows 2003 is no longer supported, security patches are not created for this program. Windows Server 2003 is now incredibly vulnerable to cyber attacks because there are holes in the security that can be easily exploited by hackers. Infrastructures are at risk because of Windows Server 2003.
Compliance
If your business needs to keep compliance regulations in mind and is subject to independent audits, you could be subject to fines. Windows Server 2003 will not pass a compliance audit. For those who hold credit card or health care information, these fines could cost more than the cost to migrate your server.
Increased Operational Costs
The cost to run applications on Windows 2003 has increased because there is no more support provided by Microsoft. The cost of workloads on Windows 2003 and the additional investments needed to make your applications secure is simply not worth it.
Next Steps
Migrating to Windows Server 2012 R2, Microsoft Azure, or our favorite, Office 365 gives users improved performance, reduced maintenance requirements, increased agility and speed of response to the business, and most importantly, peace of mind that security updates are being issued regularly to keep your data and your business protected. Create a migration plan that will ensure your business is secure and does not create too much downtime. You can consult with a Manager Service Provider who can recommend an approach tailored to your unique situation.
To learn more about how you can start migrating from Windows 2003, contact GadellNet today.
