How Extended Lifecycle Support Can Help EOL Software

May 12, 2023 - TuxCare PR Team

As software gets older and reaches its end-of-life (EOL) stage, it is no longer supported by the developers and can become vulnerable to security threats and other issues. Fortunately, Extended Lifecycle Support (ELS) solutions provide ongoing updates and maintenance for software that has reached EOL.

In this article, we will explore how extended lifecycle support can help EOL software as well as the benefits it provides for businesses and organizations. We will also discuss some popular Linux distributions organizations can extend security support for via ELS to provide better security for their enterprise customers.

What Is Extended Lifecycle Support?

Extended Lifecycle Support is a service that provides organizations with ongoing support for their software after the vendor has ended its official support. ELS can help organizations that use EOL software in several ways.

From providing ongoing maintenance and updates that are critical for the security, stability, and efficiency of mission-critical systems to providing security updates, bug fixes, and technical support, ELS services can be the only way that some organizations can securely continue to use an EOL system.

How ELS Improves Security

ELS provides security updates for EOL software, protecting it from new and emerging security threats. Without ELS, EOL software is vulnerable to vulnerability exploits, which can compromise the security and confidentiality of sensitive data. Moreover, ELS provides bug fixes for EOL software, addressing any issues that arise after the end-of-life phase has been reached. This can help ensure that the software continues to function correctly and efficiently.

A core component of extended lifecycle support is providing technical support for EOL software and ensuring that any issues or problems are addressed promptly and effectively. Ultimately, this can help organizations avoid costly downtime and also minimize the impact on their operations.

Compliance is a crucial benchmark for organizations and ELS can also help companies stay compliant with patching requirements. Organizations must maintain compliance with industry standards and regulations, even in regards to EOL software. This is particularly important for industries that have strict data privacy and security regulations, such as healthcare and finance.

Another aspect to consider is how much of a cost-effective solution ELS is for organizations that need to keep their EOL software running safely and securely. This can help avoid the costs associated with upgrading systems or replacing hardware, which can be both expensive and time consuming.

These are just a few examples that can help organizations extend the life of their EOL software and continue to rely on it for their critical operations while they migrate to a currently-supported Linux distribution.

Counteracting the Risks of Using End-of-Life Software

Continuing to run EOL softwares poses a direct threat to organizations, which ultimately impacts operations, financial assets, and leads to compliance issues. This can create significant risks for organizations that are unable to upgrade their systems or migrate due to technical, financial, or other reasons.

By offering regular updates and maintenance for EOL software, TuxCare can help organizations avoid costly downtime, reduce the risk of security breaches, and ensure that their systems are running smoothly and efficiently.

TuxCare’s Extended Lifecycle Support covers a wide range of Linux distributions, including Oracle Linux, Ubuntu, and CentOS. These distributions are widely used in various enterprise environments and are known for their stability, reliability, and security features.

TuxCare’s Extended Lifecycle Support is designed to provide customers with a stable and secure platform for years after their Linux distribution reaches EOL. The service is backed by a team of experienced Linux experts who release security patches quickly after vulnerabilities are discovered.

How ELS Helps Organizations Delaying Migration to Supported Linux Distributions

Ongoing Support

ELS can provide ongoing support and maintenance for EOL software, allowing organizations to continue using it even after it has reached its end-of-life. This can be especially important for organizations that rely on specific software applications or hardware that may not be compatible with newer operating systems (OS).

Security Updates

ELS can provide security updates for EOL software, protecting it from new and emerging security threats. This is important for organizations that are not yet ready to migrate to a supported Linux distribution but still need to maintain the security and integrity of their systems and data.

Cost Savings

ELS can be a cost-effective solution for organizations that are not yet ready to upgrade their systems or migrate to a supported Linux distribution. This can help organizations avoid the costs associated with upgrading their hardware or software, which can be expensive and time consuming.

Compliance

ELS can help organizations maintain compliance with industry standards and regulations, even for EOL software. DHS and CISA believe this is crucial for organizations in industries that have strict data privacy and security regulations, such as healthcare and finance.

Extra Time to Plan Your Migration

ELS can give organizations additional time to plan and prepare for a migration to a supported Linux distribution. This can be especially important for organizations that have complex IT systems or rely on customized software applications that may take time to migrate.

What’s Included in TuxCare’s Extended Lifecycle Support for EOL Software

Migrating to a supported operating system can be time consuming and costly, but with TuxCare’s Extended Lifecycle Support, you get automated patches for four years beyond the end-of-life date. This extended support period gives organizations the time they need to plan and execute a migration to a newer operating system (OS) without having to worry about vulnerabilities or bugs.

TuxCare’s Extended Lifecycle Support is designed to address these challenges and provide organizations with a cost-effective way to keep their EOL software running safely and securely.

With these updates, organizations can maintain the stability and security of their systems while using the EOL system they’re already using. TuxCare’s ELS offers a cost-effective and hassle-free solution for organizations that need to maintain the security and stability of their systems while delaying migration to a supported OS.

Schedule a chat and speak to a TuxCare expert today to keep your employees, organization, and all of your prized and confidential data as secure as you can from vulnerabilities.

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