Windows XP Security Essentials Cancelled

Besides running a lot of last-generation PCs (estimated at one third of the global installed base), Windows XP is an important platform for SCADA and other infrastructure integrated systems. Migrating or upgrading those components is likely to be expensive, and many owners of such systems have not planned for a replacement or upgrade path.

Microsoft announced that Windows XP Security Essentials will also not be available after XP is declared "unsupported" in April.

If Security Essentials is no longer available, other vendors are likely to also drop support for XP product lines. This may include vendors like anti-virus and other security software vendors.

If XP systems can be upgraded, they should be upgraded immediately. Systems that cannot be upgraded need to be protected by air gaps and firewall rules. Services on these systems should be limited to only those functions that cannot be migrated.

Even with these measures, there will be a lot of insecure, poorly managed systems in the global IT environment. Black hats are rubbing their hands in anticipation of the feast.