Drupal 7 End of Life: Why Security Updates Are Critical for Your Website

Synopsis

ACT360 covers critical security considerations from Drupal 7's End of Life (EOL) and why site owners have to zero in their attention on migration to a supported version, such as Drupal 9 or 10, before the January 5th, 2025 deadline. 

Key Takeaways

• Drupal 7 reached its end of life, so no more security patches are provided for this content management system, exposing websites to new risks. 

• The unsupported website leads to a higher risk of cybersecurity attacks, getting into the domain of non-compliance with data protection legislation, and SEO penalties. 

• Upgrading to Drupal 9 or 10 will ensure long-term security and stability, plus also unlock the doors for modern web technologies. 

• In terms of alternatives, other options are Extended Support or migration to a different CMS. However, they are just temporary and/or costly solutions. 
   

For over a decade now, Drupal 7 has been indispensable in the world of content management systems (CMS), providing unparalleled flexibility and support to massive numbers of websites. Still, older software versions become increasingly difficult to maintain as technology advances. This is why the end-of-life (EOL) date for Drupal 7, set to January 5th, 2025, is critical - mostly from a security point of view. Understanding what that means and how this pertains to your website will help you strategize for a very smooth migration. 

What Does End of Life Mean for Drupal 7? 

The EOL to Drupal 7 means official support from the community of Drupal will come to an end: no more security patches, bug fixes, or updates. Here's why this is important: 

• No More Security Patches: New vulnerabilities found in Drupal 7 core or contributed modules will no longer be patched. This will leave the websites open to serious security risks, from minor bugs to critical flaws that could be exploited by hackers. 

• No Community Support: As attention shifts toward the newer versions, like Drupal 9 and 10, support forums or resources will dwindle, leaving administrators without reliable troubleshooting support. 

• Deprecated Integrations: Third-party plugins and integrations that worked with Drupal 7 will also not be receiving updates, which may break functionality when services evolve. 

• Whereas continuing to use Drupal 7 may seem convenient to do, the risks involved in running an unsupported CMS surely outweigh the perceived benefits. 

The Security Risks of Running an Unsupported CMS 

When a CMS reaches its EOL, it immediately becomes a serious security liability. Here's why it could be dangerous to stick to Drupal 7 beyond January 2025:  

1. Vulnerability Increase:
   Once hackers know that vulnerabilities in outdated software are not going to be patched, they become immediate targets. SQL injections, Cross-Site Scripting (XSS), Remote Code Execution (RCE)… the list goes on for an attack vector using such software. Even if your site isn't the actual target of an attacker, there are automated bots out there scanning for out-of-date software versions to take advantage of.
2. Compliance Risks and Legal Liabilities:
   Unsupported CMS makes health, finance, and e-commerce websites non-compliant with the data protection regulations of GDPR, HIPAA, or PCI DSS, since they handle sensitive data. A data breach as a result of an unpatched vulnerability may lead to fines, legal actions, and loss of users' trust.
3. SEO and Site Reputation Damage:
   Search engines, such as Google, favor secure and up-to-date websites. Running on an unsupported version of any CMS risks showing security warnings against search results, which keeps visitors from landing on your site and affects your search rankings negatively. Worse still, if your site gets hacked, the search engine might blacklist it altogether, so it doesn't show up at all in its results. 

Why Upgrading to a Supported Version Matters 

Upgrading to Drupal 9 or 10 is more than just being up-to-date and using the latest versions - it's about security and stability above all. The following are some of the reasons why migration is important: 

1. Improved Security Framework:
   Drupal 9 and 10 feature improved security frameworks, better methods of encryption, and improved access control to counter today’s threats. This makes sure your site is still safe from emerging vulnerabilities.
2. Long-term Support and Stability:
   New Drupal versions have Long-Term Support (LTS) with security patches and feature updates for years to come. For example, Drupal 9 will be supported up until Drupal 12 releases. This will give your website a guaranteed foundation in the future.
3. Improved Performance and Scalability:
   Drupal 9 and 10 are optimized to perform better, offering improved features like faster page loads and better caching systems. These systems also support scalability, meaning if the traffic on your site goes up with growing business, it doesn't need to compromise on performance.
4. Access to Modern Features and Innovations:
   Newer Drupal versions support the latest web technologies, making the implementation of external services easier and allowing for the creation of fully mobile-first responsive websites. These are crucial for any business seeking to be competitive in today's digital era. 

What Are the Alternatives to Upgrading? 

There are a few alternatives if migration to Drupal 9 or 10 is not an option, but most of them are only temporary solutions: 

1. Engage an Extended Support Vendor:
   Some vendors offer Extended Support for Drupal 7, which means they provide security patches beyond the EOL date. Needless to say, this would be an expensive route and does not offer a permanent solution.  
2. Use Another CMS:
   If the complexity of Drupal no longer fits your needs, you might look at another, simpler CMS platform, such as WordPress. This may reduce overhead in the longer term, but migration still requires significant effort.  
3. Custom Solution Development:
   For a business with very unique needs, it's possible to develop its own CMS, but this is often far more costly and requires constant maintenance. 

Preparing for the Transition 

It takes plenty of planning when upgrading from Drupal 7 to a newer version. It could be quite complicated, especially when your site uses customized modules or themes. Following are the steps that will ensure that this transition will be headache-free: 

1. Audit Your Existing Site: Weed out the things you don't need by removing old components and thus streamlining the process.
2. Design the Migration Strategy: Break down the timeline into manageable phases of testing to make sure all functionalities deemed critical will be conserved in the new setup.
3. Call in Professional Help: Especially for more complex sites, it is worth partnering with a Drupal migration expert to avoid pitfalls and ensure a smooth transition. 

Take Action Now to Secure Your Future 

With Drupal 7’s EOL fast approaching, now is the time to plan your migration to a supported version. Staying on an unsupported CMS opens your website to significant risks, including security breaches, legal penalties, and loss of user trust. By upgrading to Drupal 9 or 10, you ensure that your site remains secure, compliant, and ready for the future. 

Is your website still running on Drupal 7? ACT360 is here to help you navigate the transition.

Contact us today to start planning your migration and protect your site from potential threats. Call ACT360 at (705) 739-2281, email us at [email protected], or visit our website for more information.