News and Updates
Clinical Laboratories: Turn a Cybersecurity Risk Into a Seamless Upgrade
Lab directors and administrators face a critical milestone: Microsoft will end support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. After this date, Microsoft will no longer release security updates, leaving systems open to malware and cyberattacks.¹
For clinical laboratories in physician office settings, rural and critical access hospitals, group medical practices, and other clinical laboratories, the stakes are high. Unsupported systems managing protected health information (PHI) increase the risk of HIPAA violations, costly fines, and reputational damage.²˒³ The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) emphasizes that running unsupported operating systems is a major cybersecurity vulnerability.³˒⁴˒⁵˒⁶
To help safeguard patient data and maintain compliance, laboratories must transition to supported platforms. One effective option is upgrading analyzers to models compatible with Windows 11, which continues to receive Microsoft’s regular security updates. Carolina Liquid Chemistries offers a full range of clinical chemistry analyzers that are compatible with Windows 11 — including the benchtop Medica EasyRA® and Diazyme DZ-Lite™ c270 as well as floor models CLC800 and CLC1600. These solutions not only help protect against cyber threats but also provide upgraded laboratory efficiency and performance for facilities of all sizes.
The good news: upgrading doesn’t have to be disruptive. Carolina Liquid Chemistries makes the process seamless with its one-stop-shop approach. From installation and operator training to validation assistance, warranty coverage, no-charge hotline support, and cost-effective service agreements, every step is managed to minimize downtime and maximize peace of mind. By upgrading now, lab leaders can turn a looming compliance risk into an opportunity to strengthen both security and laboratory performance.
To help Laboratories through this transition, we are offering financing options on any of these analyzers for a limited time.
So why wait?
📅 Act fast — Windows 10 support ends October 14th.
Sources
Microsoft’s End of Support for Windows 10:
[1] Microsoft announced that Windows 10 will reach the end of support on October 14, 2025. After this date, Microsoft will no longer provide security updates, leaving systems vulnerable to cyber threats. Microsoft Support
HIPAA Enforcement and Penalties:
[2] The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has imposed significant penalties for HIPAA violations, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding protected health information (PHI). HHS.gov
OCR Cybersecurity Newsletter (March 17, 2022)
[3] This newsletter emphasizes that hackers can exploit known vulnerabilities in unsupported operating systems to access electronic protected health information (ePHI). It advises regulated entities to upgrade or replace obsolete systems to mitigate these risks. HHS.gov
CISA Guidance on Unsupported Operating Systems:
[4] The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) warns that using unsupported operating systems poses a major security risk, as they cannot receive security updates, making them vulnerable to cyberattacks. CISA
OCR Cybersecurity Newsletter (October 29, 2021)
[5] This publication discusses the unique security considerations of legacy systems, which often lack vendor support and are particularly vulnerable to cyberattacks. It outlines strategies for mitigating risks associated with these systems, including upgrading to supported versions. HHS.gov
OCR Cybersecurity Newsletter (June 1, 2018)
[6] This edition highlights the importance of installing security patches and evaluating system modifications to ensure the protection of ePHI. It notes that system changes affecting ePHI security may trigger HIPAA obligations to conduct evaluations. HHS.gov
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