Marlink Data Reveals 40% of Maritime Systems Remain on Unsupported Windows 10

New data from Marlink reveals that a significant portion of vessels in the maritime sector continue operating on Windows 10 as of October 14, 2025—the official end-of-support date when Microsoft ceased providing vital security updates, creating urgent cybersecurity exposure across maritime IT infrastructure. Windows 11 leads current adoption with 51.42%, followed by Windows 10 at 40.36%, Windows Server versions at 5.65%, Windows 7 at 2.15%, and Windows 8.x at 0.42%. The data underscores that over 40% of maritime systems now operate without security patches, transforming previously protected infrastructure into exploitable attack surfaces. Critical vulnerability timeline: Microsoft announced Windows 10 end-of-support in 2021, providing four years advance notice to enable enterprise migration planning. Despite this extended timeline, Marlink's data demonstrates that maritime industry adoption of Windows 11 lags significantly behind end-of-support deadlines, with two out of every five vessel systems continuing to run operating systems that no longer receive security updates addressing newly discovered vulnerabilities. This creates escalating risk as threat actors develop exploits specifically targeting unpatched systems knowing that substantial portions of maritime infrastructure cannot deploy protective updates. Business risk beyond technology: Marlink emphasizes in its analysis that "the end of Windows 10 support is more than a software update; it's about managing cybersecurity risk." Unsupported Windows 10 devices represent business risk rather than merely technical issues, requiring strategic response rather than IT maintenance. Organizations operating vulnerable systems face increased probability of successful cyberattacks that could result in operational disruptions, data breaches, regulatory penalties, insurance coverage issues, and reputational damage that extends beyond immediate incident costs. Strategic transition requirements: The company outlines that organizations can maintain security while planning Windows 11 transitions through interim measures, but emphasizes these represent temporary risk mitigation rather than sustainable long-term strategy. Maritime companies must prioritize migration planning that accounts for vessel operational schedules, hardware compatibility requirements, crew training needs, and potential downtime during upgrades. The 40.36% Windows 10 deployment rate indicates substantial industry-wide upgrade backlog requiring coordinated effort across shore and vessel IT infrastructure. Compliance and insurance implications: Cybersecurity insurance providers increasingly require demonstration of basic security hygiene including supported operating system deployment as coverage prerequisites. Vessels operating unsupported Windows 10 systems may face coverage limitations, higher premiums, or policy exclusions for cyber incidents attributed to unpatched vulnerabilities. Similarly, port state control inspections and flag state requirements increasingly incorporate cybersecurity assessments where unsupported systems could trigger deficiencies or detentions.
[Industrial Cyber]

This story is part of the Maritime AI Digest of 16 November 2025.