4 Practical Steps to Take When Hardware and Software Expire
As a piece of software or hardware reaches its end of life (EOL) or end of service (EoS), support from the manufacturer ceases. This can pose a risk to organizations as unsupported technologies have no routine internal security measures.
However, a company can take steps to mitigate these risks and protect your business. Read on for more information.
Practical steps
Although there may be a sufficiently large list of practical steps, the four most impactful ones are:
Evaluate long-term needs
As you plan, it is vital to consider your critical systems’ long-term viability. What are your goals and which systems do you need to achieve them?
It is crucial to assess the risks of using End-of-Life systems before deciding whether to upgrade. For example, what would happen if you continued to use an outdated system? How likely will these consequences occur, and how severe would they be?
These factors can help you make the best decision for your organization, ensuring that you have suitable systems to support your goals.
Test compatibility before migration
Planning for a system migration should start long before its end-of-life date. By doing so, you can avoid disruptions that may occur during migration.
Testing compatibility is one of the first steps in migrating to a new system. Next, you must ensure that your IT team can transfer all your data and applications to a new system. Setting up a test environment and running some tests is the best way to accomplish this.
Prioritize security
As soon as you identify that you have EoL software/hardware, it’s important to prioritize security for your organization. First, work with a reputable vendor who can provide security protocols and tools to keep your data safe. Additionally, create a plan to minimize any potential security risks.
This might include implementing extra security measures, such as two-factor authentication or increased monitoring of high-risk areas. Taking these precautions can help ensure that your organization’s data is protected against threats.
Measure productivity
When your software or hardware is nearing the end of its life, it’s essential to keep track of its productivity levels to avoid negative impacts on your organization. Here are some things you can do to minimize any problems:
• Track the performance of the software or hardware over time. This will help you identify any potential issues early on.
• Keep employees who use it informed of its status. This will help them be more understanding and prepared in case of any problems.
• Have a backup plan in case the software or hardware fails. This will help you avoid significant disruptions to your organization.
Collaborate for success
EoL/EoS software and hardware can pose several risks to your organization. Implementing all the practical steps necessary to avoid these risks can be overwhelming, but assistance is available.
An experienced and reliable Information Technology service provider can help protect your company from the dangers of using outdated software and hardware. Don’t hesitate to contact us today to learn more about how we can help.
