The end of life on Windows XP came and went around 3 years ago. Why am I still seeing Windows XP Workstations? You would think they have been phased out by now, but unfortunately, they are not.
Why am I still seeing Windows XP Workstations?
There are a few reasons why we still see Windows XP. The top 3 that come to mind are:
- Cost. Some practices have 10+ workstations that need to be replaced and simply can’t afford it. I understand that cost is important, but how important is it to protect your network? If you can’t replace them, talk to your IT staff about a solution to protect your network and keep the XP workstations away from your mission critical softwares.
- Medical devices have not caught up with Windows 8 or 10. When you use various medical devices, and you are using Windows XP, it’s very hard to change it. It’s extremely hard to change something that works. For these types of devices, Windows XP was rock solid. I’m actually a Windows XP fan. It think it is one of Microsoft’s best operating systems. The cost to replace something that works really well with your medical devices is almost unjustifiable. Why take the chance? Because Windows XP is a security risk and it could compromise your entire practice. The best solution would be to segregate your medical device network from the internet, and the mission critical software you need to run your practice.
- Lack of understanding. There truly are some practices out there that don’t understand the significance of having Windows XP machines, and how to secure them. Especially the smaller practices that don’t really employ and IT staff or a managed service provider.
At this point, having Windows XP on your network is a HUGE risk. If you are going to have it, please discuss with your IT professionals on how to keep you safe and HIPAA compliant.
