14 July 2026: The Security Deadline You’ve Already Missed

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I've had this conversation more times than I can count. So, I'm in a room with a leadership team. I tell them they're running software that is going to stop receiving security updates. I explain what that means. They understand. They nod.

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And then they still choose the new features over important upgrades every time. Because nothing has gone wrong yet and the logic of well, it hasn't happened yet is very persuasive. Right up until it isn't. So, there is a date in July this year, the 14th specifically, when Microsoft stops issuing security patches for a piece of database software your business is very likely running. After

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that date, any vulnerability that is discovered will remain unpatched permanently. The door stays wide open after this. Moreover, migration timelines run between 2 to 12 months, which means if you haven't started, you are already behind.

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And the absence of a breach so far is not evidence that your infrastructure is safe. Commit that to your memory. All it means is that the first time hasn't happened yet and there's always a first time. So, this week, not next quarter, but this week, ask your IT team or your software partner one simple question.

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Are we running any software whose security support ends in 2026? That is the question to start the right conversation.