Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2 End of Extended Security Updates

If your organisation is still using Windows Server 2008, your extended security update is coming to an end on the 10th of January 2023. It’s important to find a solution before the deadline to ensure your organisation doesn’t experience security or compliance issues and put applications at risk.  

Let’s have a look at your options so you can choose a solution that works for your organisation and its needs, whether you are looking to migrate to the cloud, or find a way to safely use Windows Server 2008 for the short term.  

What are your options? 

The cloud  

If your organisation is running Windows Server 2008/ 2008 R2 using on-premise servers, a great option is migrating to Azure where you can continue to run them as virtual machines. By using Azure, your organisation will stay compliant, be more secure, and directly access the innovation that comes with using cloud technology. Benefits of migrating to Azure include:  

• New experiences for users  
• Reduced IT overhead and maintenance costs  
• Improved security updates within Azure 
• No-charge upgrades  
• Scalability – you will adopt more cloud services as and when you are ready 
• Increased speed through agile software development 
• Increased sustainability – the hyperscale model provides for a substantially reduced carbon footprint 
• Global scale 

Stay on-premise

If you are still using Windows Server 2008 and are unable to migrate away from it before the January date, there are solutions that can be put in place to buy you some more time!  

VMware will help to mitigate as much risk as possible by putting in place a simple and effective network micro-segmentation solution that will help reduce exposure and the attack surface when no further security patches will be available.  

Phoenix and VMware are providing a simple three step process that will help address the concerns and risks associated with Windows Server 2008: 

1. Understanding your application and OS environment  
2. Building your micro-segmentation policy 
3. Option to implement virtual patching to further reduce the attack surface 

There is also the option of building new servers with a supported version of Windows Server and migrating your applications and data. Alternatively, you can also look to upgrade in-place to a supported version of Windows Server. If you are currently using Windows Server 2008 or Windows Server 2008 R2 and want to migrate to Windows Server 2016 or later, you can only upgrade one version at a time as there is no direct upgrade path. You’ll need to initially upgrade to Windows Server 2012 R2, and then upgrade to Windows Server 2016 or Windows Server 2019. As you upgrade, you still have the option to migrate to Azure. 

Taking the next step  

Discuss our cloud solutions 

Our Surveyor 360 assessment can help your organisation understand the benefits of Azure for optimising your current data centre environment. The assessment provides you with relevant information about your current data environment – with minimum impact to your organisation’s network. The assessment is made up of various modules giving you the option to choose and run each module separately or combine them into one.  

Click below to arrange a call with one of our Azure cloud specialists for more information about migrating to Azure or our Surveyor 360 assessment.  

[button to=https://calendly.com/azure-infrastructure/why-microsoft-azure]Arrange a free consultation now[/button]

Discuss our on-premise solutions 

To find out more about VMware’s solution, the process and how we can support your organisation, click below and book a call with our VMware specialist today!  

[button to=https://calendly.com/phoenix-and-vmware/data-centre-security]Arrange a free consultation now[/button]