Effective January 2020, Microsoft will no longer support Windows 7 or Windows 2008R2 operating systems. If your systems are out-of-date, upgrade to Windows 10 and Server 2016 now. Otherwise, you could not only be facing serious security risks of losing your data and compliance issues, but your business could be at stake.

For many companies, computers and servers are the heart of the operations – performing functions, such as storing daily tasks and projects, running critical business applications, maintaining confidential client data, and providing their main method of communication. The website ComputerWorld.com reports that almost half of all computers running Windows are running Windows 7. This means that the need for upgrades is wide-spread and affects many businesses.

The time is running out to upgrade your computers to the Windows 10 and your servers to the Windows Server 2016 operating system (or Server 2019 available late 2018).

Upgrading your systems can be costly, says Lenny Giller, President and CEO of Reliable Technology Services. This is why so many companies have been postponing it. I cannot stress how important it is to assess whether you need to upgrade your computers and servers. And if you do, you will need to plan now and allocate funds for next year’s budget, continues Giller. Risking potential security vulnerabilities is just not a gamble that you should even consider, as a simple phishing incident could shut down your business completely.

The main reasons to upgrade to Windows 10 and Server 2016 include:

1. Ensuring continued support from Microsoft. This entails fixing bugs, addressing security vulnerabilities, and customer service assistance.
2. Protection against cyber-attacks. The new operating systems come with stronger security features.
3. Maintaining compliance. Most industries require businesses to have the latest security technology to protect confidential data. Without the security that comes with Windows 10 and Windows Server 2016, your business will be non-compliant. This can result in potential fines or loss of government contracts if you are a government contractor.

There are also several benefits to upgrading to the new systems, such as faster processing time, which can significantly improve your efficiency and profitability.