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
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.
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
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/
