Windows 10 Upgrade Plan for Tetra Shillings Accounting LLC
Prepared by:
[insert your name]
Objective
Migrating an organization’s operating system to newer Windows 10 Enterprise OS will boost organizational capacity to perform and secure its data and network. As a small accounting firm, with more than half of its usable hardware and most of its software outdated, Tetra Shilling Accounting LLC faces numerous security breaches and ransomware attacks that have the potential to compromise its system, as it may lose critical information and face financial laws, as well as become liable for loss of private data. Windows 8.1 lacks an adequate recovery and backup plan and increased compatibility issues with modern accounting packages. Updating their system to newer OS is critical for security purposes. As an organization that already uses Windows 8.1, Windows 10 OS provides a universal experience. It delivers a comprehensive application platform, a general security model, and one deployment and management approach to create a universal feeling across all devices in an organization [1]. Categorically, research indicates that migration to a newer OS gives organizations the much-needed security updates and support that old operating systems are increasingly losing.
The opportunity: Benefits of upgrading to Windows 10
Windows 8.1 have a myriad of issues. Users have previously encountered problems such as lack of compatibility to modern accounting software and browsers, issues with launching accounting tools, driver challengers, as they are no longer compatible with the outdated OS, and lagging of machine when accessing or conducting critical functions, all of which provide a higher likelihood for poor performance and service delivery, as well as open organization to higher security risks [2]. Opportunities for running a more updated system of Windows 10 Enterprise include:
1. Improved security: Arguably, the most important aspect is that Windows 10 was rated as the most secure OS to date [1]. Improved security features provide less data vulnerability.
2. Interactiveness and enhanced usability: aspects such as Cortana have been curated to perform within a business model, and they have become handy in tracking teams, sending emails and texts, creating schedules and reminders, as well as creating and managing lists.
3. Increased speed: Windows 10 has an advanced start time speed compared to previous OS versions.
4. Scalability at minimum cost: Windows 10 has minimized the potential for time-wasting and expensive wide-and-reload approach to OS deployment. With an OS that has greater application compatibility on Windows 8, it also includes new tools for compatibility testing, creating avenues for dynamic provisions for use by businesses.
Upgrade plan
My recommendation is for Tetra Shilling Accounting LLC to upgrade to Windows 10 Enterprise. Enterprise is better than Windows 10 Home or Pro primarily because it allows multiple platform access, allowing the user access to greater environment virtualization and application implementation; Enterprise has greater security features that include biometric identification and provides a more agile browser.
The installation will follow both a virtual and a physical method. Tetra Shilling Accounting LLC needs to upgrade half of its hardware laptops to newer models and upgrade its operating system to the modern Windows 10 Enterprise.
The physical installation will involve installing physical equipment such as new laptops, upgraded computer hard drives, cables, and modems. On the other hand, virtual will involve the installation of software and the OS across the board. For the virtual installation, the organization will follow a custom installation that performs a clean installation by saving precious data files from previous Windows before the new Windows installation and does not migrate the users setting.
The migration will be done in phases to keep the organizational functions running and avoid disruption of services. The upgrade process will follow a staggered rollout strategy that will effectively start the upgrade of Tetra’s technology system with the engineering, system administrator, and operator teams, then slowly add volunteers across the organization before finally setting out for the whole organization in phases. This will allow the team to establish the potential challenges frustrations and prevent confusion within the company [3]. A staggered rollout will allow for training of the new OS and hardware users within the organization, familiarization with the system in phases, improved communication, providing the organization with an avenue to run application lifestyle management performed, and auditing the system for vulnerable spots.
Strategy for keeping the operating system updated.
The advantage of moving from Windows 8.1 to Windows 10 Enterprise is that security and compatibility issues the firm has experienced before and is also likely to experience will be adequately curtailed. Older versions of windows, especially those older than five years, are more likely to be vulnerable to ransomware, hacking, malware attacks, security, and data breaches from all network entry points. Windows 10 works well to protect computers from potential security threats by provisioning a more agile encryption system and maintaining organization-wide monitoring and reporting systems.
I will recommend the use of MDT (Microsoft Deployment Toolkit) for an automated solution into update provision. It will be effective in establishing the setup process for an organization wide update of the OS. To keep the operating system secure, the organization will need to establish a more agile foundation to monitor and report any form of intrusion. This summarily encompasses the organization building a strong Intrusion Detection and Prevention system (IDS/ IPS) that will monitor and report any threats organization-wide [4]. Organizations will also need to enforce and embrace the security strategy through a security policy by using strong encryption keys regularly changed or multi factor authentication available in Windows 10 Enterprise. All people with authorization follow the security policies instituted. Tetra Shilling Accounting should also prioritize direct access feed to data from institutions they are working with- this will help automate data entry and avoid exposure to third parties. Finally, the organization should set up a monitoring scheme to assess OS and Data integrity.
Categorically, there is need to institute windows update for Business. It enables IT administrators to keep Windows client device always up to date. It provisions the latest security defenses and other windows features by directly connecting these systems to Windows Updates service. I will also suggest the use of Group Policy or Mobile Device Management like Microsoft Intune for the purposes of configuring the Windows update. Other key updates that will be provisioned under the Windows Update for Business will include quality, drivers and Microsoft product updates. This will ensure various versions of the office are installed with the Windows Installer, and provide an update for non-microsoft drivers that will be useful to the business. The Windows Server Updates Services (WSUS) will come in handy as it will allows IT administrators to deploy information more securely to business network, as well as provisioning a single hub for updates within the organization.
References
[1] K. Booth “Top 5 Benefits Of Migrating To Microsoft’s Window 10”. Retrieved 1 February 2022, from https://www.epcgroup.net/top-5-benefits-of-migrating-to-microsofts-window-10/.
[2] R. P. Hartwig, R. P. “Cyber risks: The growing threat. Insurance Information Institute”. Retrieved 2014 from https://www.iii.org/sites/default/files/docs/pdf/paper_cyberrisk_2014.pdf
[3] J. Morganthau. “Minimize Disruption: 12 Tips For Businesses To Consider When Upgrading Their Tech” From 2019. Available on: https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2019/04/17/minimize-disruption-12-tips-for-businesses-to-consider-when-upgrading-their-tech/?sh=3c59daf267b5
[4] O. Caspi. “What is an IDS? Intrusion Detection Systems Explained | AT&T Cybersecurity”. Cybersecurity.att.com. Retrieved 1 February 2022, from https://cybersecurity.att.com/solutions/intrusion-detection-system/ids-explained.
