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As of 14 October 2025, Microsoft officially ended free security updates for Windows 10. Organisations that continue operating Windows 10 devices today - in 2026 - are now doing so in a post‑support environment, relying either on paid Extended Security Updates (ESU) or accepting increasing cyber risk. Windows updates are the backbone of endpoint security, identifying new vulnerabilities and closing them before attackers exploit them. Since the end of support deadline passed, unpatched vulnerabilities accumulate quickly, creating growing exposure across any estate still running Windows 10. Continuing with Windows 10 in 2026 can lead to: Higher cyber‑attack risk, particularly ransomware Compliance issues (Cyber Essentials, ISO 27001, GDPR, FCA/financial sector requirements) Reduced software compatibility with modern applications and security tools Increased helpdesk overhead due to outdated hardware and OS issues For organisations, this is no longer preparation for a future deadline - it’s about reducing risk now and completing the transition to a modern, supported operating system. Your organisation’s options in 2026 Businesses now have three strategic pathways depending on their hardware, budget cycle, and deployment readiness. 1. Upgrade existing compatible devices to Windows 11 If your current hardware meets Microsoft’s requirements, upgrading remains the fastest and most cost‑effective way to move away from Windows 10 ESU dependency. Benefits include: Ongoing security updates Modern protection (TPM 2.0, enhanced kernel security, improved identity protection) Support for AI‑powered features and future Microsoft roadmaps Lower risk and long‑term stability If your business has Windows 10 machines still capable of upgrading, this should be the first route explored. 2. Refresh your estate with Windows 11‑ready devices Many Windows 10 machines still in use in 2026 are now five to eight years old, and often: Fall below modern security standards Cause productivity bottlenecks Increase support tickets Consume disproportionate IT resources A structured hardware refresh offers: Predictable lifecycle management Improved reliability and performance Standardisation across departments Compatibility with modern security and MDM tooling Wavenet supports staged refresh programmes aligned with fiscal planning, ensuring minimal business disruption. 3. Continue using Windows 10 with Extended Security Updates (ESU) Microsoft’s Windows 10 ESU programme is still available, but it is: Paid per device, per year Increasing in cost each year (designed to encourage migration) Security‑only - no features or performance improvements A temporary safety net, not a long‑term strategy ESU is most appropriate when: Line‑of‑business applications are not yet Windows 11 certified You need additional time for a phased rollout Budget cycles are delaying upgrades or refresh Remote / operational environments require longer transition periods Most organisations still using ESU in 2026 should plan to exit it within the next 12–24 months. Assessing your Windows 11 readiness in 2026 At this stage, businesses need more than a simple device‑level compatibility check. A comprehensive analysis includes: Hardware readiness across the estate Application and vendor compatibility Driver and firmware validation Intune / MDM alignment Security baselines and policy impacts User profile and data considerations Deployment sequencing and pilot planning Wavenet offers full readiness assessments to provide a clear view of which devices can be upgraded, which require replacement, and where ESU may remain temporarily necessary. Why 2026 is a critical year for migration With the end of support now behind us, delaying migration further increases: Security exposure Operational risk Compliance penalties ESU costs End‑user frustration from aging hardware A well‑structured migration programme delivers: A secure, modernised endpoint environment Lower long‑term support cost Improved employee experience Better alignment with Microsoft’s cloud and security roadmap Many organisations are now accelerating migration to remove the remaining Windows 10 footprint entirely. How Wavenet supports your Windows 11 journey Wavenet provides end‑to‑end Windows 11 migration services, including: Estate discovery & readiness assessment Hardware lifecycle planning and procurement Application compatibility testing Managed upgrade or Autopilot deployment Configuration, security baselines, and Intune alignment ESU planning (where absolutely necessary) Phased rollouts with minimal disruption Whether you’re upgrading compatible devices, refreshing your estate, or transitioning off ESU entirely, Wavenet ensures a smooth, secure, and controlled migration. Start your Windows 11 migration today Ensure your organisation stays secure, compliant, and fully supported. More on Windows 11 migration service Talk to us

The PSTN switch-off is a major shift in telecommunications. It's not just about phones. This transition affects many services beyond traditional landlines.

Think of your business’s digital security like a health check-up. You can fill out a detailed questionnaire yourself, confirming you’re following healthy habits. Or, you can have a doctor perform a full physical, running tests to verify everything is working as it should.

What would you do if a burst pipe forced everyone out of your office tomorrow? If a burst pipe or sudden outage forced your entire team out of the building, would you still be able to access your business continuity plan? For many organisations, the answer is no. Their plan lives on a server they can’t reach or sits in a binder inside the evacuated office.

Choosing between managed IT services and traditional IT support can be challenging. Both options offer unique benefits and cater to different business needs.

The UK Government and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) have launched a major new cyber security campaign urging businesses to “lock the door on cyber criminals.” Designed particularly with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in mind, the message is simple but critical: cyber security is no longer optional. As digital dependency grows, so too does the financial and operational impact of cyber crime. For SMEs, this campaign could not be more timely.

Principal Security Consultant Paul McLatchie provides proactive steps to help your organisation stay resilient in a rapidly changing cyber landscape.

Neil Hall, leading strategy consultant at Wavenet, provides timely advice to accountancy firms, to help solve their top technology challenges.

As more organisations move their workloads to the cloud, Managed Azure Services have become essential. They provide expert support for your Azure environment, helping businesses reduce costs, strengthen security, and focus on what matters most - growth and innovation. What are Managed Azure Services? Managed Azure Services refer to the professional administration, optimisation, and monitoring of Microsoft Azure cloud resources. A managed service provider (MSP) handles critical tasks such as: Cost and resource optimisation Security and threat protection Compliance management (GDPR, ISO, HIPAA) 24/7 monitoring and issue resolution Technical support and cloud governance This allows businesses, including SMBs to access enterprise-grade cloud expertise without hiring specialist in‑house teams. Why businesses choose Azure expert managed services providers Companies partner with Azure experts because of the specialised skills, cost benefits, and strategic guidance they bring. Key reasons include: Deep technical expertise in Azure architecture, automation, and security Reduced costs vs. maintaining a full internal IT team Predictable monthly pricing for easier budgeting Tailored cloud strategies aligned to business goals Proactive monitoring to prevent downtime For growing businesses, especially in competitive regions like Daisy and the surrounding areas, working with a certified Azure MSP ensures your cloud environment is optimised from day one. Cost optimisation and predictable IT spending One of the biggest advantages of Managed Azure Services is the ability to control and reduce cloud costs. Providers offer: Continuous resource monitoring Automated scaling Regular cost reporting Elimination of unused or oversized resources With fixed or tiered pricing models, organisations benefit from predictable IT spending and improved ROI. Enhanced security and compliance Security remains a top concern for any business operating in the cloud. An Azure managed services provider ensures: Advanced threat detection & protection Automated updates and patching 24/7 security monitoring Compliance with standards like GDPR, ISO 27001, and HIPAA Regular vulnerability assessments This is particularly important for regulated industries and UK businesses handling sensitive customer data. 24/7 support, monitoring & incident response Managed Azure services provide: Real-time performance insights Immediate alerting Rapid incident response Proactive issue prevention This results in higher uptime, fewer disruptions, and smoother operations. Scalability, flexibility & future-proofing Azure’s cloud platform is built for scale — and managed services make that scalability seamless. Benefits: Automatic resource scaling Flexible capacity for seasonal or unpredictable workloads Access to the latest Azure features and innovations Support for long‑term digital transformation This helps businesses remain agile and competitive in a fast‑moving digital marketplace. Improved operational efficiency through automation Azure enables automation for: Backups Updates Deployments Monitoring Disaster recovery Automating routine tasks reduces human error, increases productivity, and accelerates project timelines. Access to the latest technology & expert guidance Working with an Azure expert ensures your business always has access to: Cutting-edge cloud technology Best‑practice architecture Strategic cloud roadmaps Ongoing staff training This combination empowers your team and boosts overall digital capabilities. Business continuity, disaster recovery & high availability Azure Managed Services include: Custom disaster recovery plans High-availability architectures Geo-redundant backups Fast recovery times (RTO/RPO) This ensures your business remains operational — even in the event of outages or cyber incidents. Strategic value: Innovation, agility & digital transformation Managed Azure Services support: Rapid deployment of new solutions Process modernisation Cloud-native innovation Agility to respond to market changes This makes them a key driver for long‑term growth. Unlock the full potential of Azure Managed Azure Services give businesses the tools to operate more efficiently, securely, and cost-effectively. With expert support, by partnering with Wavenet, your organisation can: Reduce cloud costs Strengthen security Improve performance Enhance scalability Accelerate digital transformation