Posted on: 16/03/20

NHS organisations may want to carry out a review of the technology they’re using to make sure they’re taking full advantage of all the latest updates, given the fact that government figures show at least one-third of all PCs across the health service are still running Windows 7.

This could prove to be problematic in the future because Microsoft stopped supporting the operating system back in January, according to ZDNet, which means that newly discovered bugs and security flaws won’t be automatically fixed unless you opt for extended support from the company.

Some 463,784 of the 2.37 million NHS laptops and PCs are still running Windows 7 with extended support, while a further 587,531 are now using Windows 10 and a couple of thousand are using Windows 8.

It’s possible that if your computer is running a version of Windows without active threat protection extended support, it could be vulnerable to bugs or software flaws.

“There is support from Microsoft for devices using Windows 7, in all NHS organisations, until 14 January 2021. Migration to Windows 10 is a process which will differ depending on the specific needs of the organisation.

“We are working closely with the NHS to offer support to migrate to Windows 10 and are on target to complete this before the extended support period ends,” NHS Digital was quoted by the news source as saying.

Windows 10 provides you with inbuilt comprehensive security protections, while connecting across a variety of different devices so you can work anywhere and everywhere. Microsoft Edge also allows you to browse the internet faster and safer, so it’s certainly worth looking into.

It also comes with the Secure Boot feature you may be familiar with from Windows 8, which makes it even more secure. This means that a code running when the operating system starts is either signed by the hardware maker or Microsoft itself and you can set up your PC so that this cannot be bypassed.

Other security features include Windows Hello, Microsoft Passport and Device Guard, while you can also take advantage of ransomware and exploit protection.

Here at Contronics, all our supplied PC hardware runs on Windows 10 Pro, an edition of Windows 10 that offers enhanced connectivity and privacy tools, including Group Policy Management, Domain Join, Assigned Access, Remote Desktop, Direct Access, Enterprise Mode Internet Explorer and more.

Software updates are essential these days because it makes it a lot easier for hackers to access your networks - and businesses can ill afford a data breach in the days of GDPR, where hefty fines can be handed down and business reputations put at serious risk.

If you’d like any help or advice relating to compliant monitoring systems within your NHS trust, get in touch with us here at Contronics today.