“Just because you can keep running Office 2016 or 2019 doesn’t mean you should,” warns Andy Syrewicze, Security Evangelist at Hornetsecurity. In a conversation with Doug Green, Publisher of Technology Reseller News, Syrewicze explained the looming compliance and security risks as Microsoft ends support for Office 2016 and 2019 on October 14, 2025.

While organizations can technically continue using the software, Syrewicze compares it to Jeff Goldblum’s warning in Jurassic Park: “They were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn’t stop to think if they should.” Without security patches, businesses face immediate compliance issues, heightened vulnerability to zero-day threats, and the burden of mitigating risks across every endpoint.

Syrewicze outlined two paths forward: migrate to Microsoft 365 for its broader functionality, cloud-native flexibility, and faster cadence of security updates—or transition to Office LTSC 2021/2024 for organizations that must remain on-premises due to regulatory requirements. He strongly recommended a full inventory of existing software and a reevaluation of risk profiles before making the move.

Hornetsecurity positions itself as a crucial partner for organizations navigating this transition, offering layered security services tailored to Microsoft 365 environments. From email protection and SharePoint permission management to awareness training, Hornetsecurity simplifies security in what Syrewicze calls an overly complex Microsoft landscape with “29 different management portals.”

To learn more, visit www.hornetsecurity.com.