A Race Against Time for Emergency Services to Embrace Windows 11
By Will Holmes, Business Manager (Public Sector), Panasonic TOUGHBOOK
Keeping Frontline Teams Mission-Ready
The Emergency Services sector plays a vital role in safeguarding communities, providing rapid response services to incidents, disasters, and health emergencies. This sector operates under high-pressure conditions, demanding robust infrastructure, trained personnel, and evolving technologies to meet the challenges of an increasingly complex world.
With digital transformation an ongoing priority across this sector, its response to a Windows 11 migration, as support for Windows 10 comes to an end on 14th October 2025, is paramount. With mission-critical systems underpinning every part of emergency services operations from dispatch communications to data-driven incident response, the transition demands a seamless blend of stability, performance, and enhanced security capabilities.
Initial deployments of Windows 11 have spotlighted the operating system’s improved endpoint protection and streamlined usability, helping frontline personnel operate more efficiently under pressure. As departments assess compatibility with legacy systems and navigate training needs, their feedback serves as a valuable barometer for other public sector organisations considering the transition.
We recently interviewed over 200 decision-makers who were undertaking a migration to Windows 11. Within this cohort, Emergency Services organisations reported that 67% of their devices have been, or will need to be, replaced or upgraded to be compatible with Windows 11.
The size and complexity of the task is significant, with 65% planning to stagger their Windows 11 migration and 40% intending to do so remotely. Additionally, 68% will rely on device manufacturer support, while 58% will use their internal IT teams.
Migration or Mitigation? Weighing up the Security Risks
There is an option for organisations to invest in Microsoft’s Extended Security Updates (ESU) program which, acts as a safety net if they are not ready to migrate from Windows 10 to Windows 11 before support ends. This is particularly important for the emergency services sector, which will likely have many devices that don’t meet Windows 11’s hardware requirements or rely on legacy applications.
ESU allows these systems to stay secure while migration plans are finalised. Not surprisingly, then all emergency services respondents that we surveyed are, to some extent, likely to invest in Microsoft ESU should Windows 11 migration be delayed.
Respondents voiced security concerns if they don’t invest in Microsoft ESU. More than two-thirds (68%) of emergency services respondents surveyed are not confident that they can manage device security through other means if Windows 11 migration is not achieved prior to October 2025.
A staggering 94% said they are concerned about increased vulnerability to ransomware and malware while 84% admitted they are worried about a lack of security patches for new threats. Compliance and regulatory risks also loom large, as well as potential data breaches and the impact this might have on business reputation.
Benefits Outweigh the Risks
Migration to Windows 11 is not without its challenges and nearly half (48%) of emergency services respondents were concerned about a lack of third-party support. Other challenges cited included application/software business compatibility (45%) and device downtime limiting productivity (45%).
Costs are also a consideration, especially in the event of delays when migrating to Windows 11. Over two thirds (68%) of emergency services respondents indicated they would anticipate increased costs under such circumstances.
Clearly, however, the benefits of migrating to Windows 11 outweigh the concerns with emergency services respondents citing the top three benefits as increased device usage by end users (42%). The ability to take advantage of AI features such as Windows Copilot and Bing AI (39%) and the increased performance and processing power (35%).
A Race Against Time
The alternative of relying on an ageing, vulnerable system isn’t palatable. Therefore, with the clock ticking, it’s a race against time for Emergency Services organisations to fast track their migration to Windows 11. This will ensure they remain mission-ready, and take advantage of enhanced security, efficiency, and productivity on the frontline.
Working with a dedicated mobility partner to prioritise migration timelines, audit hardware and application compatibility, and map a phased rollout – particularly for edge-based mobile teams – will ensure teams benefit from Windows 11’s performance and security without disrupting productivity. A phased transition will also help to safeguard business continuity while curbing operational costs and strengthening long-term resilience.
