Security | Threat Detection | Cyberattacks | DevSecOps | Compliance

With an ever-increasing demand for additional security from today’s technology platforms, Microsoft is implementing several new measures to build a more robust ecosystem by default.

Many operational technology (OT) environments depend on Windows 10 systems. In October 2025, Microsoft ended support for Windows 10. That doesn’t mean manufacturers have to immediately replace their systems, but it does change the risk profile related to unsupported operating systems. In OT environments, operating systems commonly reach end of support long before the industrial assets they control.

When Microsoft ended support for mainstream Windows 10 in October 2025, there was panic in many industries. Fearing that Windows 10 would be unprotected and therefore exposed to cyberthreats, organizations raced to migrate to Windows 11. But in operational technology (OT) environments, that narrative is a little misleading. Upgrading prematurely can introduce far greater operational risk than staying on a well-controlled Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) platform.

Windows patch management is the practice of deploying and managing feature updates, bug fixes, and security patches at scale for Windows operating systems and applications. These updates go beyond adding new features, acting as critical safeguards that address vulnerabilities attackers commonly target.

LevelBlue Labs is tracking a severe vulnerability in Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), CVE-2025-59287, that allows attackers to remotely execute code without authentication and is being exploited by threat actors to compromise vulnerable Windows Server users.

CISA has just added a new CVE regarding SMB, with a very high CVSS rating. CVE-2025-33073 is a high-severity (CVSS 8.8) vulnerability in the Windows SMB client caused by improper access control (CWE-284). An authenticated attacker can exploit it over the network to gain elevated privileges. Microsoft has issued guidance on how it should be patched and CalCom recommend this be done immediately.

Today marks a significant milestone in the technology landscape. As of October 14, 2025, Microsoft has officially ended support for non-LTSC releases of Windows 10, concluding one of the most widely adopted operating systems in history. From this point forward, the operating system will no longer receive security updates or feature patches by default. While Microsoft offers Extended Security Updates (ESUs) for Windows 10 version 22H2, these are temporary and designed as a bridge solution.

On October 14th, Windows 10 will be retired, and Microsoft will no longer push patches or updates to systems on that operating system. It is crucial for companies to make the jump to Windows 11 now—or risk being exposed to critical vulnerabilities. This is especially important for Industrial Control Systems (ICS), which often run on legacy systems.