Microsoft has officially ended support for Exchange Server 2016 and 2019 as of October 10, 2023. This marks a significant milestone for organizations relying on these versions for their email and collaboration infrastructure. With the end of support, Microsoft will no longer provide security updates, bug fixes, or technical assistance for these products, increasing the risk exposure for businesses that continue to use them.
Enterprises still operating Exchange 2016 or 2019 are strongly encouraged to upgrade to Exchange Server 2019 CU12 or later, or migrate to Microsoft 365 to ensure continued security and compliance. The end of support means that any newly discovered vulnerabilities will remain unpatched, potentially allowing threat actors to exploit these weaknesses to gain unauthorized access, disrupt services, or steal sensitive data.
This transition underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date software in the cybersecurity landscape. Organizations should prioritize migration planning and execution to avoid operational disruptions and security risks. Microsoft provides various tools and resources to assist with the upgrade process, including detailed documentation and migration guides.
In addition to upgrading, businesses should review their security posture, implement robust monitoring, and apply compensating controls to protect legacy systems during the transition period. The cybersecurity community continues to emphasize proactive defense strategies to mitigate risks associated with unsupported software.
Staying informed about software lifecycle changes and promptly adapting IT infrastructure is critical to safeguarding organizational assets. The end of support for Exchange 2016 and 2019 serves as a reminder of the evolving threat environment and the need for continuous vigilance and modernization in IT security practices.
This Cyber News was published on www.bleepingcomputer.com. Publication date: Tue, 14 Oct 2025 18:30:28 +0000