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Insight works with education leaders on Microsoft Server security

microsoft-server

With less than one month to an end of service deadline, Insight highlights cybersecurity concerns at ISTE

The Insight Enterprises, Inc. Public Sector team will speak to the risks of failing to address the pending end of service for Microsoft Windows Server 2003 at the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) conference.

On July 14, 2015, Microsoft will cease support for this operating system, and Insight is warning education leaders to not ignore critical steps to protect their sensitive data.

At ISTE 2015 (June 28-July 1 in Philadelphia), Insight will provide education decision-makers with detailed information on how to protect information stored on millions of computer servers from cyber-attacks and data loss–even if they are not prepared within the next 30 days.

Data breaches and attack incidents have increased annually, and if education leaders don’t prepare for the end of service for Microsoft Windows Server 2003, the risk of a material breach increases significantly.

A U.S. Department of Homeland Security alert said computer systems running the unsupported Microsoft Server 2003 operating system are exposed to elevated cyber security risks such as malicious attacks or electronic data loss.

Microsoft research in 2014 reported that 23.8 million instances of Windows Server 2003 were running on 11.9 million physical servers worldwide. That’s an estimated 39 percent of all installed Microsoft Server operating systems.

On July 14, 2015, Microsoft will phase out support and no longer provide critical automatic fixes, updates, or provide technical assistance for the operating system. Educational institutions have options including an upgrade to a newer, supported operating system, replacement of servers or transitioning IT operations to a cloud-based service.

Insight will be at ISTE 2015, Booth #2600, Expo Hall within the Pennsylvania Convention Center. For more information on how to address the end of service, visit Insight or call 800-INSIGHT.

Material from a press release was used in this report.