Published: April 24, 2026
Our bulletin Cyber Threat Watch has been created to help small businesses stay up to date on the latest threats, news, and events affecting their business. The content has been curated to make cybersecurity easy and accessible for both technical and nontechnical readers.
Featured Cyber Threat – End-of-Support (EOS) Devices
Many small businesses continue using devices that still work without realizing that some of them may no longer be supported by their manufacturers. These are known as end-of-support (EOS) devices. Once a device reaches this stage, it no longer receives security updates, bug fixes, or technical support.
As a result, attackers actively look for these outdated systems because any newly discovered weaknesses will remain unpatched. This issue can remain hidden and build quietly in the background without obvious signs—until something goes wrong. In light of this risk, recent guidance from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) highlights that EOS devices, especially those connected to the Internet, can create serious security risks for organizations of all sizes.
What Are EOS Devices?
EOS devices include common business technologies such as routers, firewalls, virtual private network (VPN) gateways, and even older operating systems or applications. These systems often sit at the edge of your network—meaning that they are directly exposed to the Internet and act as the first line of defense.
When a device is no longer supported, the following risks arise:
- Security vulnerabilities are no longer fixed.
- Software updates and patches stop.
- Compatibility with newer security tools declines.
Even if the device continues to function normally, it becomes increasingly risky to rely on it. In other words, if a device can no longer be updated, any new security weakness cannot be fixed.
Why It Matters for Small Businesses
Small businesses often rely on third-party IT providers or older equipment to manage costs. As a result, EOS devices may remain in use longer than intended—especially if there are no visible issues.
However, unsupported systems can quietly increase the following risks:
- Attackers target known weaknesses that are never patched.
- Outdated devices may not support modern security features.
- Compromised systems can affect customer data, operations, and reputation.
Even if your business doesn’t manage these systems directly, your service providers or vendors might. That makes it important to confirm whether the technology supporting your business is still secure and supported.
What Your Business Can Do to Reduce Risk
Small businesses can take these practical steps to manage the risks associated with EOS devices.
- Ask Your IT Provider About Support Status: A simple question—“Are any of our systems no longer supported or no longer receiving updates?”—can quickly identify potential risks.
- Use a Vulnerability Scanner: Regularly scan your network for devices and software that may be outdated. This will help identify unsupported technology in your environment.
- Focus on Internet-Facing Devices: Pay particular attention to routers, firewalls, and VPNs, as these are directly exposed to the Internet and carry higher risk if outdated.
- Plan for Replacement of Unsupported Devices: If a device is no longer supported, begin planning for replacement. Unsupported systems cannot be fully secured.
- Apply Updates Where Possible: If immediate replacement is not feasible, ensure that the device is running the latest available version and that all updates are applied.
- Limit Exposure of Older Systems: Avoid exposing outdated devices directly to the Internet, restrict access to trusted users or networks, and disable unnecessary remote access.
- Use Temporary Measures Carefully: Extended support or temporary patches may reduce risk, but keep in mind that they are not a long-term solution.
If you have followed the steps above but still need additional expertise, consider having a Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP) assist with securing your systems. MSSPs offer specialized services to ensure that your business stays protected from evolving cyber threats.
Conclusion
Devices that still work are not always safe to use. Once a system reaches end-of-support, it can no longer be relied on to protect your business from evolving threats. Taking steps to identify and replace outdated technology—before it becomes a problem—is one of the most effective ways to reduce cybersecurity risk and maintain business continuity.
The NCSS encourages businesses to adopt comprehensive security practices and stay informed about evolving threats. We recommend you consider becoming an NCSS member to access a wide range of our services. For more information, visit our Small Business page.
The NCSS encourages businesses to adopt comprehensive security practices and stay informed about evolving threats. We recommend you consider becoming an NCSS member to access a wide range of our services. For more information, visit our Small Business page.
About the NCSS
The National Cybersecurity Society (NCSS) is committed to improving the online safety and security of the small business community through education, awareness, and advocacy. As a 501(3)(c) organization, the NCSS uses funds from charitable donations and grants to develop educational materials, webinars, weekly cyber tips, videos, and how-to-guides. The organization’s goal is to enable and empower small and medium businesses to obtain cybersecurity services, assist them in understanding their cyber risk, and advise on the type of protection needed. We want to continue to grow our community and encourage you to tell other small businesses we are here to help.
The NCSS is committed to respecting the use of images in our communication efforts. Accordingly, unless otherwise specifically noted, the graphics in our bulletin are sourced under license from Adobe Stock. The header and footer images were designed and purchased through a contract with Eyedea Advertising & Design Studio.