January 25, 2019
Windows 10 was launched in late 2015 and since then, usage has climbed steadily. Web analytics firm StatCounter says global Windows 10 use overtook its primary competitor, Windows 7, in February 2018; Net Market Share reports the turning point happened in December 2018. Regardless of timing, Windows 10 is now the most popular desktop OS in the world.
According to Microsoft, there are 1.5 billion devices running Windows but only about 700 million of those are running Windows 10. Further, Forrester says just 56 percent of company-issued PCs are running Windows 10 today. Why hasn’t everyone updated yet? Known non-compatibility issues with legacy apps is the primary migration roadblock for the enterprise. Many companies also cite the time-consuming migration process as their biggest reason for delay. Others remain unclear about the implications of an upgrade, in part because they haven’t completed compatibility testing. Uncertainty, of course, leads to inaction.
Put simply, migrating to a new OS is never an easy process for any organization. It isn’t surprising so many remain hesitant. Regardless, a choice must be made soon; Microsoft will end mainstream support for Windows 7 on January 14, 2020. After that date, you will be forced to operate at your own peril in the absence of new security patches or bug fixes, or pay extra for Microsoft support.
While a Windows 10 migration certainly has its challenges, the end result will most certainly be beneficial. The OS includes many powerful new security enhancements that will help you better protect your organization – and it's a safe bet that more will be rolled out in the future. As cybercriminals’ tactics continually evolve and regulatory fines for data privacy non-compliance climb, information security has never been more critical.
The latest round of security updates in Windows 10 includes: virtualization-based security, kernel isolation, recursive data encryption, and Defenders’ new cloud brain with block-at-first-sight capabilities. These are but a few of the new features that, when implemented, will go a long way in improving your overall security posture. But the implementation process of these new security features will bring challenges for both IT and security teams unless you have the right information.
No matter where you are in your process of Windows 10 migration or if you’ve already migrated and are considering using the new security enhancements, join our webinar, 5 Essentials for Securing and Managing Windows 10. We will discuss the common, costly migration pitfalls and provide tips on how to avoid them.
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