End of support: Windows Server 2008 and SQL 2008

Extended support for Windows Server 2008 and SQL 2008 has now ended, leaving many companies exposed to security threats and at a competitive disadvantage.

Unsupported servers? Know the risks

Continuing to run apps and data on Windows Server 2008 or SQL Server 2008 is extremely dangerous for businesses and their customers. Without regular security updates or patches, organisations are alone and exposed in an increasingly hostile threat landscape.

In such situations, a data breach is no longer a matter of chance – it’s a matter of time.

Doing nothing can result in

Business disruption:

Critical apps suddenly stop working.

Legal proceedings:

Data owners are liable if customers’ private data is stolen.

Loss of trust:

Customers lose confidence if they suspect their data is not protected.

GDPR non-compliance:

Running unsupported databases is a direct contravention of GDPR

1Source: Costs and Consequences of Gaps in Vulnerability Response, Ponemon Institute, 2019

Migrate to Azure for next-generation security and innovation

For innovation-focused enterprises, end of SQL and Windows Server support can become a significant and timely opportunity to sharpen their competitive edge.

By seizing the initiative and making the move to Azure, organisations not only benefit from greater security and better compliance, they also tap into an ever-expanding universe of new tools and capabilities that enables them to embrace new possibilities and deliver unprecedented value.

1Source: The digital business divide. Keystone Strategy whitepaper.

Gain flexibility with different migration options

There are migration options to suit different needs

Relocate to virtual machines

Moving data and applications to virtual machines (VMs) running in Microsoft Azure Cloud is the simplest and fastest way to migrate. This option brings several key advantages for organisations that need time to prepare for full modernisation:

  • Keep applications running as they are, even those on SQL 2008
  • Get 3 years extended support from Microsoft
  • Operate securely while gaining time to plan re-architecture and migration

Considering VM migration? ALSO can help

Move to SQL Database Manged Instance

For some organisations, moving to an SQL Database Managed Instance is an even better option. This route to the cloud reduces complexity over the long term, and brings additional benefits:

  • Elimination of compatibility issues
  • No need to make changes to applications
  • Significant reduction in database running costs

Reduce business costs with Azure

On datacentre migration (TCO vs. on-prem)

Rehosting applications on Azure

Re-architecting applications on Azure

Benefit from Microsoft’s competitive cloud offering

More than 95 percent of Fortune 500 companies use Microsoft Azure, and cost-efficiency is one of the key reasons. Azure is up to five times less expensive than Amazon Web Services (AWS) and comes with Azure Hybrid Benefit savings and extended security updates for Windows Server 2008.

Source: https://azure.microsoft.com/en-gb/overview/azure-vs-aws/cost-savings/

Popular tools and resources for Microsoft Azure

Download center

Access useful Microsoft Azure resources and tools.

eLearning courses

Visit the ALSO Academy for free Azure training delivered by experts.

Azure calculator

Estimate the cost of your journey to the cloud with the Microsoft Azure pricing calculator.

By clicking this link, you will be taken to an external Microsoft site and may be asked to provide additional data.

View more

Customer cases

See how other businesses have embraced Microsoft Azure.