If you’re putting off upgrading hardware and software that has reached end of life (EOL) because you think it’s too expensive or too disruptive, you’re putting your organization at significant risk.
Just because it still “works,” if it’s no longer being supported by the manufacturer, you’re essentially rolling out the welcome mat for security breaches, compliance issues, and operational inefficiencies. And that’s in addition to the tech debt that’s accruing as more and more technology lands in the to-be-upgraded pile.
Impacting Security
Hardware and software that has reached EOL no longer receives updates or patches, increasing its vulnerability to cyber attacks. Bad actors look for these vulnerabilities so they can exploit them and gain access to your data, causing costly downtime, reputational damage, and expensive recovery and reparation.
Out of Compliance
Continuing to run EOL technology puts your organization out of compliance with many industry and government regulations and standards, which may result in fines, legal repercussions, and lost business.
Introducing Inefficiencies
Outdated technology not only lacks the most current features and functionality, it also may not be compatible with newer systems. This disconnect can cause bottlenecks that decrease productivity, degrade performance, and impact customer satisfaction.
Increasing Tech Debt
Replacing one solution when it reaches EOL is expensive. Replacing five simultaneously is exorbitant. Scheduling proactive upgrades before your technology reaches EOL will help prevent a major hit to your IT budget.
Recommended Best Practices
Following a few EOL best practices will help keep your technology current, which in turn reduces security risks and eliminates the massive hit to your budget when you have to replace multiple systems at once.
- Put known EOL dates on your calendar and strategically plan refreshes as the dates approach.
- Align refreshes to your budget by proactively getting quotes and identifying costs then working them into your annual budget.
- Consider lease options as an alternative to purchasing new hardware and software. This shifts the expense from a capital expenditure to an operational expenditure so you can spread out costs over time.
Upcoming EOL At-a-Glance
Keeping your technology up to date not only improves your security posture, it also prevents potentially disruptive and expensive compliance, productivity, and financial issues. Below we’ve compiled a list of some significant EOL dates so you can proactively work the cost of updates into your upcoming budgets. Please note that this list is not exhaustive but is a look at the most common upgrades based on our customer environments. To have a tailored discussion about your environment, speak with an expert.
- Windows Server 2012 and 2012 R2: End of support on October 10, 2023
- Server 2012 ESU (if purchased): End date of October 10, 2026
- Windows 10: End of support on October 14, 2025
- Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations (on-premises): End of support on January 31, 2024
- Azure DevOps Server 2019: Extended support ending on April 8, 2025
- Office 2016/2019: End of support on October 14, 2025
- Exchange Server 2016/2019: End of support on October 14, 2025
- SonicWall NSA 2600: EOL on March 8, 2024
- SonicWall TZ 300/300W: EOL on January 23, 2025
- FortiGate-60D: EOL on September 23, 2023
- FortiWiFi-60D: EOL on May 8, 2023
- FortiGate-90D: EOL on October 14, 2023
- FortiWiFi-90D: EOL on October 14, 2023
- FortiGate-100D: EOL on July 26, 2023
- FortiGate-140D: EOL on May 8, 2023
- FortiGate-200D: EOL on May 22, 2023
- FortiGate-300D: EOL on October 11, 2023
- FortiGate-400D: EOL on May 8, 2023
- FortiGate-500D: EOL on May 8, 2023
- FortiGate-240D: EOL on July 15, 2025
- FortiGate-600D: EOL on October 14, 2024
- FortiGate-90E: EOL on April 15, 2025
- FortiGate-140E: EOL on March 14, 2024
- Nimble SF300: EOL on October 21, 2024
- Nimble SF100: EOL on October 21, 2024
- Nimble CS7000: EOL on October 21, 2024
- Nimble CS5000: EOL on October 21, 2024
- Nimble CS3000: EOL on October 21, 2024
- Nimble CS1000: EOL on October 21, 2024
- Nimble CS1000H: EOL on October 21, 2024
- Nimble AF9000: EOL on October 21, 2024
- Nimble AF1000: EOL on October 21, 2024
- Nimble AF3000: EOL on October 21, 2024
- Nimble AF5000: EOL on October 21, 2024
- Nimble AF7000: EOL on October 21, 2024
Relevant Resources
- Resource: End-of-Life database
- Blog: The Set & Forget Myth: Why Your Security Posture Can’t Be Forgotten About
- Blog: Tips to Maximize Your IT and Cybersecurity Budget
- Blog: Unlocking Success: Implementing Virtual CISO and Virtual CIO Services for Enhanced Security and Alignment
- Blog: How to Scope Big Projects: Bridging Strategy, Teams, and Cybersecurity
- Blog: Winning Over the Chief Financial Officer (CFO): A Guide to Securing Buy-In for Your IT Initiatives
