Alternative Sophos Central Protection for 2012 R2

[talksr]

Hi there,

We have Sophos Central as part of our LGfL package.

Sadly, 2012 R2 Sophos AV support ended on 1st November 2023.

Despite me chasing LGfL for a quote for Extended Sophos Support three times, I didn't get the quote until last week when the school was closed for holidays.

 

As a result, we now have no working AV on our server.

The quote is for £1800. We are going to be replacing the server with a brand new HP in early 2024 - I already have the new server, but no suitable holiday time to sort it all out.

 

Can anyone recommend anything else as a temporary measure? Are there any alternative (free) solutions just to tick the box to say we have working and up to date AV?

All the desktop computers are covered with Sophos Central agents, it is just the actual server. £1800 seems far too much for a few months, but it seems you have to pay for 12 months worth of cover or nothing. 12 months is far too much for us.

[TheHyperTechie]

What server licensing do you have?

 

I was in the same situation, so I just updated our host/vms to windows server 2016 which is the latest version the hardware will support. Not ideal, but at least we are covered. We are decommissioning our server in the new year anyway... (hopefully!)

Edited November 3, 2023 by HyperTech

[talksr]

What server licensing do you have?

 

I was in the same situation, so I just updated our host/vms to windows server 2016 which is the latest version the hardware will support. Not ideal, but at least we are covered. We are decommissioning our server in the new year anyway... (hopefully!)

 

Hi, thanks for your reply. I am licenced for 2016 R2 and 2019 but an in place upgrade will not work. The server is on its last legs and hasn't installed updates in over a year. I have been battling with SLT for over two years to get funding for a new server.

I am wondering if AVG or anything free might suffice just for the next few months until we are on the new one.

[TheHyperTechie]

Hi, thanks for your reply. I am licenced for 2016 R2 and 2019 but an in place upgrade will not work. The server is on its last legs and hasn't installed updates in over a year. I have been battling with SLT for over two years to get funding for a new server.

I am wondering if AVG or anything free might suffice just for the next few months until we are on the new one.

 

What about this?

 

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/security/defender-endpoint/configure-server-endpoints?view=o365-worldwide

 

Microsoft Defender for Endpoints, it states 2012 R2 is supported and there is a link for a 3 month trial. Might be worth a look!

[talksr]

What about this?

 

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/security/defender-endpoint/configure-server-endpoints?view=o365-worldwide

 

Microsoft Defender for Endpoints, it states 2012 R2 is supported and there is a link for a 3 month trial. Might be worth a look!

 

Thank you, that might just do the trick. I will take a look.

[Wave9_Lee]

Just for info, there is an extended support option for CXIA / server 2012. It shouldn't be that expensive, but depends on your supplier

[talksr]

Just for info, there is an extended support option for CXIA / server 2012. It shouldn't be that expensive, but depends on your supplier

 

Thanks Lee,

We get our Sophos Central as part of LGfL. I contacted LGfL three times noless over the course of several months to get a quote.

Nobody bothered to respond until less than a week before the support coverage would elapse. Really disappointing result. The head was so frustrated by this and a couple of other LGfL failings she asked me not to persue the quote so we never extended it.