UK faces cyber risks as Windows 10 support ends this October

Microsoft's formal end of support for Windows 10 next week is set to impact businesses across the UK, with cybersecurity experts raising concerns about heightened threats and operational disruption, particularly for critical national infrastructure sectors.

After 14th October, devices running Windows 10 will no longer receive free security updates or patches, raising concerns among technology leaders about increased vulnerability to cyber attacks and the risk of falling out of regulatory compliance.

Cybersecurity risks

Scott Walker, Chief Architect at Orange Cyberdefense, said that Windows 10 already posed significant security concerns before support ended. He cited findings from the company's 2025 Security Navigator report, stating that Windows 10 accounted for the majority of high and critical vulnerabilities among Microsoft's operating systems. The removal of official support is expected to exacerbate the situation.

"Windows 10 was already a hotbed for vulnerabilities; our 2025 Security Navigator report previously found that the operating system accounted for the majority of high and critical vulnerabilities, out of all Windows OS versions. With Microsoft sunsetting support on 14th October, this problem will only worsen. It's critical for companies to update ahead of the deadline."

Walker underlined that organisations relying on difficult-to-update legacy IT architecture are particularly at risk. Sectors designated as critical national infrastructure, including government, financial services, and energy and utilities, often depend on hardware that is not compatible with newer operating systems. Because updating may require significant hardware replacement, both financial and operational barriers could leave some systems running unsupported versions beyond the deadline.

Walker added that in large networks, some devices might simply be missed. Even a single unpatched system can present an entry point for threat actors in environments where continuity and integrity are paramount.

Business continuity

Dave Adamson, Solutions Director at Creative ITC, described the transition as more than a technical migration.

"The end of Windows 10 support shouldn't come as a surprise, yet many organisations remain unprepared. Planning gaps, legacy dependencies and budget constraints continue to delay migration, even where devices are technically capable of upgrading. Every day of delay increases risk and makes the transition harder."

Adamson highlighted the blend of risks, including cyber exposure, regulatory compliance failures, and operational disruption that unsupported systems present. Organisations governed by strict data protection laws, such as those in financial services and healthcare, face the additional challenge of maintaining compliance as vendors stop providing security updates.

He also noted that unsupported hardware and software can disrupt day-to-day activities, particularly if application compatibility or outright failures lead to downtime or data loss.

Mitigation and next steps

Both Walker and Adamson stressed the importance of planning and risk management as the end of support approaches. Walker advocated for the implementation of protective frameworks such as Secure Access Service Edge (SASE), which delivers unified networking and security capabilities from the cloud, helping guard against threats even at vulnerable endpoints. He also highlighted Continuous Threat Exposure Management (CTEM), which uses real-time data to adapt defences to new and evolving adversaries.

He cautioned that these measures should not be regarded as substitutes for operating system upgrades or hardware refreshes. Rather, they help to mitigate risk during what may be a prolonged transition period for some organisations.

Adamson suggested that auditing devices, identifying compatibility gaps, and refreshing hardware where necessary should be central elements of transition plans. For organisations unable to replace all hardware immediately, he pointed to the possibility of adopting flexible infrastructure models such as virtual desktops. Such solutions can help extend the usability of existing equipment while addressing security and performance needs, especially in supporting remote or hybrid workforces.

While the costs associated with hardware and software upgrades may be considerable, Walker emphasised that the expense would likely be outweighed by the financial and reputational damage a serious breach or compliance failure could cause.

The approaching deadline places renewed emphasis on business continuity planning, with IT and risk managers urged to act decisively to maintain the security and stability of enterprise and sector-wide systems.