If you haven’t already done so, there is no better time to make sure you’re using the latest version of Internet Explorer. True to their word, January 12, 2016 is the end of the Microsoft Support Lifecycle on versions of Internet Explorer older than version 11 and Microsoft will only support IE 11 on Windows 7 SP1, 8.1 and 10 (10 also supports Edge).  This also includes Windows 2008 R2 SP1, and 2012 R2.

Older versions will be classified as HIGH risk starting January 12.  Running unsupported software places your facility at risk from malicious sites and hackers on the Internet. Keeping up-to-date on all software is one important step in reducing that risk.   When a vendor like Microsoft announces they are stopping support for previous versions, it’s time to take steps to protect yourself because this affects the security of the systems and thus patient data.

“Before you get too upset with Microsoft,” says David Gregory, PrivaPlan consultant, “Consider that Chrome and FireFox automatically update their versions and do not support old versions.  This is Microsoft playing catch-up to what everyone else is already doing.”

It’s advisable not to put off the update to IE 11 until the eleventh hour, or in this case, the eleventh day of January. If you are constrained by other applications that force you to use older versions of IE, those issues will need to be resolved. Please contact any vendors, partners or governments that are putting this constraint on you to get updated information about their plans to upgrade.  

Time is your friend. And so is PrivaPlan. Let us know how we can help.