Why an update of TYPO3?

What is a TYPO3 update about?

Every few years the TYPO3 CMS releases a new version with new functions and further developments. Each of these versions is a license-free Open Source Software. For each version, such as version 6, 7 or 8, there are security and stability updates for several years, these are also free. This means there are updates from time to time, which either close known security holes or make adjustments to ensure that the system works stable with newly released browser versions or other components. We take IT security in our projects very seriously and, if desired, we can install security updates for all our customer projects free of charge. After a few years, however, the period for free updates for a TYPO3 version ends and the TYPO3 team understandably concentrates on supporting newer TYPO3 CMS versions. We recommend a TYPO3 update after the support period of a TYPO3 version has expired. Here we would like to inform you about the background to this, because many customers don't see clearly what an update can do, what options are available and what can happen if you don't do a TYPO3 update.

Currently, the support period for TYPO3 version 7 expires in December 2018. This means that there will be no free security updates and other bug fixes for version 7 from December 1, 2018 onwards, which means that if security holes in version 7 become known after that date, you will not be protected against them and may become vulnerable.

What can you do?

Wir raten zu einem Update auf mindestens Version 8, welche wieder entsprechenden Support bis 2020 hat. Ein Update auf Version 9, die allerdings erst zeitgleich mit dem Supportende von Version 7 herauskommt, ist ebenfalls möglich, allerdings mit mehr Aufwand.
Alternativ kann man auch einen "Extended Support" für Version bei der TYPO3 GmbH erwerben. Dieser Service kostet aber ab 2.000 EUR und ist damit oftmals teurer als das Update auf die nächste TYPO3 Version und empfiehlt sich nur für Fälle, wo ein TYPO3 Update extrem aufwändig ist und zeitlich so weit wie möglich nach hinten verschoben werden muss.

What happens if you do nothing?

Of course, there is simply nothing you can do. However, by doing so you are taking a risk for your website and the data contained therein and are also violating the Basic Data Protection Regulation (DSGVO - see also the article EU Basic Data Protection Regulation DSGVO in force since 25.05.), which stipulates, among other things, that you must take the best possible technical protective measures for IT systems. The operation of outdated software with potential security gaps is the opposite of this and can result in drastic penalties.

What do you get from a TYPO3 update?

In addition to the mentioned protection against security vulnerabilities, version 8 bpsw. offers a lot of new functions that make the work as an editor in the CMS easier and more beautiful. These include the usability of the CMS with a smartphone, a completely new text editor, editing the website while surfing through the pages instead of in the CMS backend, an improved image cropping editor with support for different image cropping for different device sizes.
See also the article TYPO3 8 LTS - Miles ahead.

What does a TYPO3 update cost?

Like every TYPO3 version, the new version 8 is free of license costs. We only charge for the time it takes to update your installation to the latest version. We will gladly estimate the effort for your TYPO3 installation as best as possible. If you would like a non-binding estimate of the effort, just send us a short message.
In general you can say that the update from 7 to 8 is usually much cheaper than the update from 6 to 7.