The end of support for Windows 7 means that the operating system will no longer receive free security updates from the manufacturer. Studies show, however, that around 30 percent of all PC users are still using the outdated operating system. Companies can buy a grace period from Microsoft in order to receive security updates for a longer period of time, but companies have to dig deep into their wallets for a separate support contract.
If your company is still running Windows 7 productively, you must expect that your organization will be more easily affected by cyber attacks in the future. Microsoft no longer closes known security gaps in the operating system with updates. Despite the widespread use of Windows 7 in recent years, the operating system peaked in 2019. Attackers could potentially exploit the 250 known known security vulnerabilities.
Ignoring the ended Windows 7 support and not switching to the current Windows 10 is risky. But it not only increases the risk of a possible cyber attack for you. At the same time, you also violate the General Data Protection Regulation. There is a risk of fines because the operating system no longer corresponds to the required “state of the art”. However, this is required for the processing of personal data according to the GDPR.
If you are not yet working with the current Windows 10 in your company, you should update your PCs as soon as possible. Incidentally, the end of support does not only apply to the Windows 7 user operating system, but also to the different versions of the “Windows Server 2008” server operating system. A detailed list can be found under this link.
Since there are also relevant criteria when using Windows 10 to operate it in compliance with data protection regulations, various technical and organizational measures must also be observed for the new operating system.
aigner business solutions GmbH will be happy to support you in using Windows 10 in compliance with data protection regulations. Contact us.
Unser Team – Ihr Vorteil | Hier stellen wir uns vor.
Unser Team besteht aus erfahrenen Juristen, Webspezialisten, IT-Experten, zertifizierten Datenschutz- und Informationssicherheitsbeauftragten. Mit unserer Erfahrung, Expertise und erprobten Verfahren, helfen wir Unternehmen, praxisnahe Lösungen im Bereich Datenschutz und Informationssicherheit zu finden. So helfen wir beispielsweise bei der Umsetzung der DSGVO oder der Einführung von Informationssicherheitsmanagementsystemen (ISMS).