RSMUS.comRecently Microsoft announced security changes to Office 365 and Exchange Online. Effective October 1, 2022, Basic Authentication protocols will be replaced with a new modern protocol to secure Exchange Online and hosted Office 365 from possible cyber-attacks. A side effect of these security changes is that email and workflow functionality will be negatively impacted in older versions of Dynamics GP.
Will this change impact me?
If you’re using Dynamics GP 18.2 or another older version such as GP 2010, GP 2013, GP 2015, GP 2016, or GP 2018, then these security changes will disrupt the email and workflow functionality.
If you are on an older version of GP and do not use email or workflow functionality, then this change will not impact you.
If you’re currently on Dynamics GP 18.3 or higher, you will not be impacted by this change because the Modern Authentication is already operational in GP 18.3 or later.
Why did Microsoft make this change?
Basic Authentication, which is TLS 1.0, is an outdated industry standard. Utilizing Basic Authentication opens users up to phishing emails, compromised files, ransomware attacks, and more.
Modern Authentication, which is TLS 1.2, helps increase your organizations security because it uses modern encryption of keys. It also supports features such as multi-factor authentication (MFA), certificate-based authentication (CBA), as well as a few others.
The history of authentication protocols starts with Microsoft writing SSL back in the 1990’s and then it was replaced with TLS 1.0, which then evolved to TLS 1.2. The change is happening now because Exchange and Office 365 are mandating TLS 1.2 across all programs.
Do we have to upgrade?
If you are currently using email and/or workflow capabilities upgrading to version 18.3 or later is for many the easiest and best answer. This upgrade also will allow you to benefit from new features and enhanced security in the latest version of Dynamics GP.
However, depending upon how you are using email and workflows there may be some options that don’t require an upgrade.
What should I do?
Don’t wait for year end. Please reach out now to your RSM consultant, Client Account Manager, or to our GP Support Desk at gpsupport@rsmus.com now to find out how these changes may impact your business and to determine the best option for you.
Tom Burtner
Thomas Burtner is a consulting services partner with the business applications practice at RSM US LLP. He specializes in providing technology strategy, system selection, packaged software implementation, application development, business intelligence implementation, systems integration and technology project management services to clients throughout RSM. Tom is the national leader for the Dynamics GP/SL practice which consists of over 30 consultants supporting over 800 existing clients.