IT Security Alert: Do you have computers running Windows XP?

You may be aware that Microsoft is discontinuing support of XP as of April 8, 2014.
What does this mean, and what steps should be taken to minimize risk?
Tom Murphy, Microsoft’s spokesman handling the end of XP support says:
“Our guidance is that you need to get off XP. It’s really that black and white,”
Running an XP computer on a network introduces an information security risk to your organization. Microsoft will no longer be providing security updates and technical fixes that help protect your PCs running XP from harmful viruses, spyware, and other malicious software that can steal your information.
There are three basic actions AAF recommends taking to address this risk and vulnerability:

1. Determine what machines you have that may be running XP as an operating system.
2. Isolate these machines and do not connect them to the network or the internet.
3. Determine if it makes sense to either upgrade the machines to Windows 7 (if machines meet minimum requirements) or replace these machines.

This is but one of many issues relating to IT security and vulnerability.
If you have not already done so- contact your AAF Partner, or James Jumes (774.512.4062 or jjumes@aafcpa.com), our Business and IT Advisory Practice Leader, for a security and vulnerability assessment for your systems.