Support for Windows XP and Office 2003 stops on April 8th.

All Microsoft support for Windows XP and Office 2003 stops on April 8th.

What are the risks to your business if you don't upgrade?

Let's be real here, unpatched systems are an open invitation to hackers to exploit your systems and your network.  Companies that continue to run Windows XP face the risk of increased hacking attacks. Small businesses are often targeted because they lack sufficient protection, and cyber-criminals sometimes use them as a stepping-stone to larger targets. In 2012 we saw a 30% increase in such web-based attacks.

Security & Compliance Risks: Unsupported and unpatched environments are vulnerable to security exploits. This may result in a recognized control failure by an internal or external audit body, leading to suspension of certifications, and/or public notification of the organization’s inability to maintain its systems and customer information particularly if you’re in a regulated industry.

Lack of Independent Software Vendor (ISV) & Hardware Manufacturers support: A report from Gartner Research suggests that many independent software vendors (ISVs) are unlikely to support new versions of applications on Windows XP.  The longer you hold off, the more common this will become and the more support hassles you'll encounter.                

 Are there hidden costs to staying on Windows XP  or Office 2003?

Yes, staying on Windows XP after the end of support date means paying for increased support costs and potential compatibility problems with new application software not to mention other organizations that use more up-to-date Office applications that your version of Office probably won't process correctly.

Just one exploit of your computer network through an unprotected PC will cost you MUCH MORE than the cost of keeping your network PC's up-to-date and protected properly.

Do you have a migration plan for upgrading these products?  Call ACT at (847) 639-7000 and we'll help you find the best and most affordable way to upgrade your network.