Why Windows Home Operating System is a security risk

Devices with Windows Home Operating System are not recommended to have access to company networks mainly for reasons related to security.

Here are some reasons why we think there is risk in allowing devices with Windows Home Operating System to access a company network:

Security risk – Lack of Domain Join Capability:

One of the most significant limitations of Windows Home editions is the inability to join a Windows Domain. Windows Domains provide a centralised point of security policy enforcement across an organisation’s computers. This lack of domain support in Windows Home makes it impossible to enforce security policies and manage user access effectively on these devices, posing a potential security risk.

Security risk – Limited Group Policy Support:

Group Policy are settings that can control the behaviour of machines and users within the domain. Domains allow for the enforcement of Group Policies. Non-domain devices lack this centralized policy management, leading to potential inconsistencies in security settings such as password policies, screen lock timeouts, and firewall configurations. Windows Home editions do not support Group Policy, which means IT administrators cannot apply or enforce organizational policies on devices running these versions. This limitation hampers the ability to control security settings, software updates, and other configurations at a granular level.

Security risk Reduced – Applying Updates and Patches:

Domains enable IT administrators to centrally manage and deploy updates and patches to all connected devices, ensuring that security vulnerabilities are addressed promptly. Non-domain devices require manual updates or rely on users to apply updates themselves, which can lead to delays or omissions in applying critical security patches.

Security risk – Increased Risk of Data Leakage:

Without domain controls, which devices with Windows Home Operating System cannot be subject to, it’s harder to enforce data protection policies such as the use of encryption, secure storage, and secure data transmission practices. This increases the risk of sensitive data being leaked or accessed by unauthorised parties.

Cyber Insurance:

• Cyber insurance policies often stipulate minimum security standards that must be met for coverage to be valid. This can include the use of operating systems that are capable of being updated to the latest security standards, have features that support strong encryption, and can be integrated into the company’s broader security framework. Windows Home editions are less able to meet such standards than Windows Professional editions, with their advanced security features like BitLocker, Windows Information Protection (WIP), and Group Policy Management.
• Risk Assessment and Premium Calculation: When determining premiums or even eligibility for coverage, insurers perform a risk assessment of the applicant’s IT infrastructure. Devices running Windows Home OS might be seen as higher risk due to their limited security and management features, potentially leading to higher premiums or specific exclusions in the coverage.
• Policy Exclusions: Some cyber insurance policies might explicitly exclude coverage for incidents that occur on devices running operating systems not deemed secure or suitable for a business environment, such as Windows Home editions. This can be due to the increased risk of data breaches and malware infections on devices that cannot be adequately secured or managed.

For these reasons it is vitally important that devices must be Windows Domain joined. Devices that cannot be joined to a domain, such as those running Windows Home editions, are considered not secure.