In a previous blog [COVID-19 -- three things that businesses should do NOW], I offered some short-term solutions to improve collaboration where businesses have not yet implemented remote working capabilities. It reminded me about a conversation that I had with a client CEO some years ago when we were discussing the business case for a PC upgrade – their computers still had Microsoft XP (some even had NT!) and the antivirus software was no longer in support.
“I think we should delay the upgrade”, said the CEO, “and undertake xxx this year instead. Staff can manage with the current PCs and we’ve never had a virus attack.”
“I understand your dilemma.”, I replied. “Remember that, if you do suffer a virus attack, you will have to shut down your network to reduce the spread, and then clean the infected machines before reopening the network. Allow one to four weeks of disruption; more if it is not caught quickly. And you won’t be able to prevent it from happening again – indeed, the likelihood will increase as the antivirus software gets further out of support.”
“If that happens, how long will it take to upgrade the antivirus software?”, he asked.
“Eighteen months, because it requires this PC upgrade project first.”, I said.