SQL Server and Windows Server are nearing the end of their product lifecycle. SQL Server 2008/2008 R2 already reached its end of support earlier this year on 9th July 2019, and will be followed by Windows Server 2008/2008 R2 on 14th January 2020. If you are still using these platforms, you need to consider some of the risks, and the options you can take to mitigate those risks.
The Risks
Would you allow someone to steal from you? We bet your answer is a resounding ‘no!’. In the same context, you wouldn’t allow a cybercriminal to take your sensitive customer data, personally identifying information, or intellectual property from your IT systems.
Every year, cyber threats are becoming more persistent and advanced. Any cyber attacker can easily exploit your internal systems. With SQL Server and Windows Server 2008 not having any product support from Microsoft, patches and fixes will no longer be available. This means your application becomes highly susceptible to security risks and vulnerabilities.
The Solution
Upgrading to the latest version or migrating your apps and servers to Azure is one of the surefire ways to mitigate the risks. We recommend any of these approaches, depending on your budget and current needs
Upgrade to the latest version.
You can tread down the path of the traditional upgrade to the latest version of SQL Server and Windows Server on-premise if that makes sense for your business. However, this will mean staying on the same continuous cycle of preparing for an upgrade every couple of years or so.
Move legacy workloads to Azure.
If you don’t have the budget now, you can opt to move your legacy workloads into Azure and still get the support that you need from Microsoft. At the very least, this doesn’t force you to replace your existing IT investments immediately. This buys you time in the short term until you are ready for a full migration.
Lift and shift to Microsoft Azure.
The best option to take is to modernise your workloads by moving them to Azure now. Azure adheres to the strictest security control and policies. This means that you are storing your data in one of the most secure and highly compliant platforms in the market. You can also easily retrieve your data in cases of hardware failure, power outages or natural disasters with its built-in Disaster Recovery.
Need help in your Azure Migration?
We have helped organisations asses, plan, and seamlessly and securely migrate their IT environment to Microsoft Azure. With over thirty years of field experience, we use tried and tested approaches to make your cloud migration a success. If you need assistance on the best migration approach, sign up below to speak to one of our Cloud consultants today.
To learn more on the challenges, opportunities and advantages of Azure migration, you can download the high-resolution infographic here.
