Support for Windows 10 will end on October 14. Microsoft has announced that it will continue to provide assistance to users upon registration, but updates and patches are excluded. What few people are aware of is that support for Microsoft Exchange 2016 and 2019 also ends on this date.
From mid-October, Microsoft Exchange administrators will no longer receive security patches, bug fixes, updates, or compliance assurances if they use Exchange Server 2016 or 2019 on their systems. Microsoft itself warns: These servers are now unprotected against attacks and exploits, could serve as a gateway into local networks, and would thus quickly become high-value targets for attackers.
Bugs will no longer be fixed
In addition, mistakes in the software will no longer be fixed and updates with new features will not be released. From now on, users and administrators of these systems can no longer count on keeping up with changes in legal requirements, compliance guidelines, or security guidelines.
If it were up to the manufacturer, users would have migrated or switched to the new Exchange versions long ago. However, this is not always possible or desirable — Add-on-software, underlying hardware, and day-to-day business have a say in the matter, too.
Migration and upgrade necessary
Many Microsoft customers are now asking themselves: If a migration is due anyway, which by no means always runs smoothly from one Exchange version to the next, why not migrate to open source and enjoy more freedom and security? With free software such as grommunio, you, the customer, decide when and how migration takes place.
But that’s not all: those who use open source can verify their trust in the software through control and transparency, cloud coercion is replaced by personal responsibility and digital sovereignty, and grommunio offers a wide range of features that have to be purchased separately with Exchange.
Microsoft increasing pressure
Microsoft is serious and is putting pressure on its customers. In the Tech Community Blog, it writes: “Updates are absolutely critical to remain secure and supported.” and wants customers to switch to Exchange Online or Microsoft 365, i.e., to the Microsoft Cloud, on Microsoft servers, potentially in environments that are problematic in terms of data protection law. Those who want to continue working on-premises should take a look at Exchange Server SE.
Arguments in favor of grommunio
No matter how you look at it, an upgrade is necessary, so why not switch to the digitally sovereign, open-source alternative right away? The arguments are convincing:
- Become digitally sovereign and keep all your data under your control
- Continue to use all clients and systems as usual, but experience increased performance and efficiency
- Run your grommunio server in your data center
- Continue to receive patches, updates, and new features for your grommunio servers
- Take advantage of the open-source platform at grommunio with numerous features and tools, from file sync and archive to chat and video conferencing
- Use almost any client with your grommunio server, on any client operating system and mobile device
- Decide when migrations to new versions or to the cloud are necessary.
Act now, because from mid-October your “old” Exchange servers will no longer be adequately protected.
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