Did you know that your data security could be on a timeline?
Microsoft has announced that, as of April 8, it will no longer provide support for Windows XP. That means that, along with many other services, those currently running XP will no longer receive security updates and fixes.
Is that really a big deal?
Consider this: from July 2012 to July 2013, XP shared 30 vulnerabilities with Windows 7 & 8. Now, when Microsoft releases the first security update after April 8, hackers everywhere will be eagerly waiting on the sidelines. They will take that security update, reverse engineer it, then put it against XP to see if that particular data security update covers yet another shared vulnerability. If so, they will have found a way into just about any computer still running Windows XP.
This glaring risk is all the more frightening for the fact that there are still a large number of government organizations, institutions, and large companies that are still utilizing Windows XP.
What can be done?
There are two things that must be done for any person or organization that wishes to meet this dreadful deadline.
- The first is to upgrade to a system still supported by Microsoft. Unfortunately, this too may be more challenging than many think. According to one security expert, “there are very few available copies of the newer Windows operating systems. Most companies will find that their only option is to purchase completely new hardware with supported software already installed.”
- The second is to close the glaring security “hole” left by the previously used components. Hard drives that have been incompletely erased provide an easy target. The most economical and effective method to completely protect your company, and your customers, is to take advantage of one of the patented data destruction devices offered by Phiston Technologies. Meeting standards developed by the NSA, these devices offer one of the few surefire ways of protecting against the security breaches that are sure to come as a result of this, and any future, deadlines imposed by Microsoft and others.
Like it or not, this data security timeline will come to an end. The question is, will you be ready for it?
Contact us for more information about how you can protect your data security both before and after April 8.
