End of Security Life Cycle for Windows NT
This MARADMIN announces the end of Microsoft's extended support for Windows NT 4.0 operating systems effective 31 December 2004. All Marine Corps IT and C2 systems using Windows NT 4.0 must migrate to Windows 2000 or higher, or establish a customer support contract with Microsoft by the deadline, or face disconnection from the Marine Corps Enterprise Network (MCEN). Commands failing to comply will have their enclaves disconnected until they meet the directive's requirements.
Issued: October 5, 2004
1. THIS MESSAGE IS TO ANNOUNCE THE END OF EXTENDED SUPPORT FOR WINDOWS NT 4.0 ENTERPRISE EDITION, WINDOWS NT 4.0 SERVER, WINDOWS NT 4.0 TERMINAL SERVER, AND WINDOWS NT 4.0 WORKSTATION, AND TO PROVIDE DIRECTED ACTIONS. 2. BACKGROUND. MICROSOFT WILL CEASE TO PROVIDE NO-COST WINDOWS NT SERVER AND DESKTOP OPERATING SYSTEM VERSION 4.0 INCIDENT AND SECURITY HOTFIX SUPPORT AFTER 31 DEC 2004. MICROSOFT SUPPORT WILL ONLY BE AVAILABLE THROUGH A CUSTOMER SUPPORT CONTRACT UNTIL 31 DEC 2005 AFTER WHICH SUPPORT WILL CEASE ENTIRELY. 3. GUIDANCE. A. AS OF 31 DEC 2004 MARINE CORPS IT AND C2 SYSTEMS USING ANY WINDOWS NT 4.0 OPERATING SYSTEM MUST HAVE MIGRATED TO WINDOWS 2000 OR HIGHER, OR HAVE ESTABLISHED A CUSTOMER SUPPORT CONTRACT WITH MICROSOFT TO CONTINUE SECURITY HOTFIX SUPPORT. THIS INCLUDES GARRISON AND TACTICAL SYSTEMS. CONTINUED USE AFTER THIS DATE WITHOUT SECURITY HOTFIX SUPPORT EXPOSES THE MCEN AND CONSEQUENTLY THE DOD GIG TO UNACCEPTABLE LEVELS OF RISK. B. COMMANDS ARE NOT AUTHORIZED TO OPERATE WINDOWS NT 4.0 SYSTEMS WITHOUT SECURITY HOTFIX SUPPORT AFTER 31 DEC 2004. FAILURE TO UPGRADE/REMOVE WINDOWS NT 4.0 SYSTEMS FROM THE MCEN AFTER SUCH DATE OR TO HAVE A CUSTOMER SUPPORT CONTRACT PROVIDING SECURITY HOTFIX SUPPORT WILL RESULT IN THOSE COMMAND ENCLAVES BEING DISCONNECTED FROM THE MCEN UNTIL SUCH TIME AS THEY ARE BROUGHT INTO COMPLIANCE WITH THIS DIRECTIVE. C. MARCORSYSCOM IS DIRECTED TO DEVELOP AN ACQUISITION STRATEGY FOR MARINE CORPS TRANSITION FROM ALL WINDOWS NT 4.0 OPERATING SYSTEMS, INCLUDING ESTABLISHING CUSTOMER SUPPORT AGREEMENTS TO CONTINUE SECURITY HOTFIX SUPPORT, AND SHOULD AGGRESSIVELY PURSUE AN UPGRADE PATH IAW REF C AS SOON A POSSIBLE. PROGRAM MANAGERS OVERSEEING CENTRALLY MANAGED PROGRAMS (CMP) OPERATING ON MARINE CORPS NETWORKS USING WINDOWS NT 4.0 OPERATING SYSTEMS MUST PROVIDE A PLAN OF ACTION TO UPGRADE THOSE SYSTEMS WITHIN THEIR PROGRAM IAW REF C, OR ENTER INTO A CUSTOMER SUPPORT AGREEMENT TO CONTINUE SECURITY HOTFIX SUPPORT NLT 31 DEC 2004. 4. NMCI CONTRACTOR, PM NMCI, AND THIS HQ ARE WORKING WITH MICROSOFT TO EXTEND THE TARGET DATE FOR WINDOWS NT SUPPORT OUT TO DEC 2005. THIS PENDING EXTENSION WOULD ONLY IMPACT WINNT 4.0 MACHINES CURRENTLY UNDER EDS CONTROL (AOR/CUTOVER). COMMANDS ARE NONETHELESS DIRECTED TO TAKE ACTION AS CITED PARA 3 ABOVE. 5. CONTACT POCS FOR CLARIFICATION AS REQUIRED.