The Big News in February: Broadcom’s 2025 VMware Licensing Changes
As we step into 2025, VMware customers are once again facing significant (some good, some bad) changes. Notably, Broadcom has ended the sale of the Essentials Plus Kit, a cornerstone for many smaller VMware deployments, while reintroducing the Enterprise Plus licensing SKU. These changes bring both opportunities and challenges, especially for smaller organizations. Dive into the details to find out what this means for your environment.
To catch up on all things VMware, check out these helpful resources:
OnDemand Webinar: VMware Renewals – Evaluating Your Options to Make Informed Decisions
Blog Post: Navigating the VMware License Increase – Rethink and Consider Azure VMware Solution
Blog Post: How to Handle Hypervisor Disruption
Blog Post: Azure VMware Solutions vs Data Center/Azure Native
Case Study: JOEMC Turns the Lights out on VMware and Turns to Nutanix for Improved ROI and Reliability
What’s New in the Hybrid Data Center?
Leading vendors are redefining cloud storage, security, and virtualization with breakthrough innovations in risk assessment, AI-powered security, and automation.
Pure Storage
Pure1® storage enhances security with AI-powered anomaly detection, proactively monitoring admin activities and mass deletions to flag unusual patterns. By providing early warnings of potential threats or errors, organizations can quickly respond before disruptions occur.
- AI-Powered Anomaly Detection:
- Pure1® enhances security with AI to monitor admin activities and mass deletions, flagging unusual patterns. Organizations receive early warnings to address potential threats or errors proactively.
Pure1’s enhanced Self-Service Upgrade (SSU) streamlines operations by intelligently managing expired packages—automatically re-downloading bundles without disrupting workflows. Enterprises benefit from unlimited bulk upgrades, eliminating the previous 10-operation limit for true enterprise-scale efficiency. Additionally, SSU now supports Purity//FA non-encrypted deployments, ensuring a consistent upgrade experience across diverse storage environments.
- Enhanced Self-Service Upgrade (SSU):
- Automatically manages expired packages and re-downloads bundles without disrupting workflows.
- Unlimited bulk upgrades eliminate the previous 10-operation limit for enterprise-scale efficiency.
- Supports Purity//FA non-encrypted deployments for consistent upgrades across diverse environments.
Nutanix
Not a huge feature release, but a few bug fixes related to API Infrastructure and Data Replication!
- Prism Central 2024.2.0.3:
A minor release addressing bug fixes for API Infrastructure and Data Replication.
Cohesity
- LTS Release Update:
Updated to 7.1.2 Update 3 (as of January 16th).
Omnissa (formerly Horizon VDI)
If you’ve been tracking at home, you know that the Horizon VDI solution is now part of the Omnissa family. The rebranding of Horizon to Omnissa Horizon is now complete, and Omnissa has extended the End of Life (EOL) for Horizon 8 2212.x by six months, giving customers additional time to plan their upgrade.
- Rebranding to Omnissa Horizon:
The rebranding of Horizon VDI is complete, and the End of Life (EOL) for Horizon 8 2212.x has been extended by six months.
The Latest release of Horizon 8 has dropped with build 2412. There are some enhancements and feature additions, but what caught our eye was some focus on the UAG, with security tightening and provisioning enhancements!
- Horizon 8 Build 2412:
- Enhancements to Unified Access Gateway (UAG) security.
- Provisioning improvements for streamlined management.
Rubrik
With the latest CDM release, Rubrik has added guidance for deployed versions. Customers requiring the latest product enhancements and features should upgrade to CDM 9.3 (released 1/28/25), or a minimum 9.2 to proactively mitigate any known issues with older CDM releases. All versions of Rubrik CDM 8.1 or earlier have reached end of support.
- CDM Updates:
- Upgrade to CDM 9.3 or at least 9.2 to mitigate issues with older versions.
- CDM 8.1 or earlier has reached the end of support.
To enhance the security posture of customers and partners in response to the constantly evolving threat landscape, the following are the security best practices for enabling RSC features.
- Security Best Practices:
- Enable MFA for local users to resist phishing attacks.
- IP Allow List limits access to trusted IP addresses.
- User Account Lockout prevents brute force attacks.
- Breached Password Protection flags compromised credentials.
Rubrik recommends that customers who configured SSO in RSC prior to May 20, 2024, update the existing SSO identity provider (IdP) configuration to use the native SSO SP prior to July 31. After 7/31/25, SSO authentication attempts using the legacy configuration will fail. Knowledge article
- SSO Updates:
Customers using SSO before May 20, 2024, must update configurations by July 31, 2025.
What’s New in Microsoft?
Discover the latest innovations and updates from Microsoft, designed to enhance security, collaboration, and productivity across Azure, Microsoft 365, Teams, and more.
Azure
If you have resources that interact with Azure services, transition them to TLS 1.2 or later by February 28th.
- TLS 1.2 Requirement:
Update resources interacting with Azure services to TLS 1.2 or later by February 28th.
Microsoft is updating Azure SQL Database APIs for performance and security and retiring all version 2014-04-01 APIs on October 31. Update your resources to use a newer API version by then.
- Azure SQL Database API Changes:
APIs from version 2014-04-01 will retire on October 31st. Upgrade to newer versions before then.
Microsoft 365
- Microsoft 365 License Price Increase:
Starting April 1, prices for annual commitments paid monthly will increase by 5%.
Copilot
Copilot Enhancements
Context IQ Enhancements: Smarter Prompts in Chat
By late February, users will be able to leverage Context IQ in chat, making it easier than ever to search for and select specific SharePoint sites to ground prompts with relevant data. This enhancement ensures that Copilot can provide more precise and context-aware responses, improving the overall experience.
Data Visualization Made Easy
Also, coming by the end of February, chat will support chart, graph, and data analysis generation directly from prompts. Whether you need quick insights or detailed reports, this feature will make data-driven decision-making more intuitive and efficient.
Lockbox for GenAI: Enhanced Data Security for Copilot Studio
Starting February 28th, Microsoft will introduce Lockbox for GenAI in Copilot Studio. This new security feature provides an extra layer of transparency and control, allowing customers to review and approve or reject data access requests when a Microsoft engineer needs access—such as during a support request.
Copilot Visual Creator Meets Clipchamp
For those looking to create dynamic video content, Copilot Visual Creator is integrating with Clipchamp by mid-March. This update will allow users to generate videos simply by typing a prompt, pulling from Microsoft 365’s extensive stock media library. The resulting videos will be automatically saved in OneDrive, with full editing capabilities available in Clipchamp for further customization.
M365 Copilot Chat Expands to Teams and Outlook
Big changes are coming to Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat (formerly Microsoft Copilot). By late February, it will be available directly in Teams and Outlook for Entra account users. Licensed users will see it automatically pinned, while others can manually pin it or add it from the Store. Admins will retain full control over pinning settings, ensuring a smooth rollout across organizations.
New AI Administrator Role for Copilot Management
To help organizations better manage Copilot settings, Microsoft is introducing a dedicated AI Administrator role within the Microsoft 365 Admin Center. This role will give authorized users direct control over Copilot configurations, making it easier to optimize AI-powered workflows.
With these updates, Microsoft Copilot is becoming an even more powerful tool for businesses and individuals alike. Stay tuned as these features roll out, and get ready to experience the next wave of AI-driven productivity.
Copilot Enhancements – Recap:
- Context IQ Integration:
Search and select specific SharePoint sites to “ground” prompts when writing in the chat box. - Data Visualizations:
Users can create charts, graphs, and data analysis using prompts by late February. - Support Lockbox for GenAI:
Available on February 28th, providing a customer interface to review and approve data access requests. - Clipchamp Integration:
Generate videos from prompts using Copilot Visual Creator. Available mid-March.
Defender for Office 365
- Third-Party Reporting Integration:
Defender can automatically analyze messages reported through third-party tools like Knowbe4 or Proofpoint. - Threat Classification for Emails:
Enhanced detection and response capabilities.
Microsoft Entra ID
FIDO2 Passkeys on Smartphones
Microsoft is extending FIDO2 support to smartphones running the Authenticator app, turning them into secure, device-bound passkeys—just like a key fob. Organizations with the FIDO2 authentication policy enabled (no key restrictions) will have this feature enabled automatically.
New Auditing Features in Entra Connect
Version 2.4.129.0 of Microsoft Entra Connect now logs admin changes in the Sync Wizard and PowerShell, improving transparency. For details, see: Auditing Administrator Events in Entra Connect Sync (Public Preview).
Customers will be auto-upgraded starting February 2025 where supported. For customers who wish to be auto-upgraded, ensure that you have auto-upgrade configured.
Real-Time Password Spray Protection
Microsoft’s Entra ID Protection now detects and interrupts password spray attacks in real-time, reducing remediation from hours to seconds. This feature is included in the Entra P2 (Microsoft 365 E5) license.
These updates showcase Microsoft’s commitment to stronger security and streamlined management.
Entra ID Updates – Recap:
- FIDO2 Passkeys:
Expands support for device-bound passkeys via the Authenticator app. - Password Spray Detection:
Entra ID Protection now detects and interrupts password spray attacks in real-time. - New Entra Connect Version (2.4.129.0):
Supports logging administrator changes and allows auto-upgrades for February 2025.
Exchange Online
An External Recipient Rate Limit (ERRL) will be enforced in phases starting January, with a limit of 2000 external recipients in 24 hours. The rollout for existing tenants is delayed until October, with full enforcement by April 2026.
- External Recipient Rate Limit (ERRL):
Limits external recipients to 2000 per 24 hours, fully enforced by April 2026.
Intune
Support Assistant is now available in Intune. It leverages AI to enhance your help and support experience, and is currently in preview.
- Support Assistant (Preview):
AI-driven assistant to improve help and support experience.
Microsoft Teams
Teams Chat and Channels
Stay in control of how your files open across Microsoft Teams and other Microsoft 365 apps.
- File Opening Preferences:
Users will be able to set preferences for opening cloud-hosted Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files (browser, desktop app, or directly in Teams). This setting will also extend to other Microsoft 365 apps. - New Chat and Channels Experience:
Initially scheduled for General Availability in late January 2025, this update has been postponed to late March 2025.
Teams Meetings
Microsoft Teams meetings are getting smarter and more customizable for participants and organizers.
- Edit Display Name:
Meeting participants can temporarily edit their display names during meetings. This feature is optional and controlled by meeting organizers. Rollout will continue through April 2025. - Share Recap Notes to Outlook:
Teams Premium and Microsoft 365 Copilot license holders can send AI-generated meeting notes and tasks to Outlook. Rollout is expected by mid-March 2025. - Teams Rooms on Windows 10:
Devices running Windows 10 will no longer receive security or feature updates after October 14, 2025. Upgrading to Windows 11 is recommended. - Pop-Out Meeting Controls:
Users can open Chat, Notes, or Copilot in new windows for better focus. - Private Replies During Events:
Moderators can privately respond to attendee questions during events. This feature is enabled by default and can be managed in Q&A settings.
Teams Phone
Teams Phone is enhancing communication capabilities with SMS support and new location-sharing options.
- SMS Chat:
Teams will introduce SMS chat for calling plans in the U.S. and Canada by mid to late February 2025. - Location Sharing for Emergency 911:
Teams on Windows and Mac will allow users to grant location access for emergency dynamic 911 and bandwidth policies. - Direct Routing Phone Number Inventory:
This feature is now generally available, enabling management of assigned and unassigned numbers for Teams Phone customers. - Voicemail Compliance Enhancements:
Updates include changes to ‘From’ fields to comply with RFC 6854 standards and labels for external or unverified calls.
Teams Admin
Admins can now perform updates and configurations on Teams Android devices without disrupting active use.
- Idle Updates for Android-Based Teams Devices:
Teams admin center introduces a feature to perform updates and configurations only when devices are idle. Rollout begins in late February 2025 and requires updates to the Teams app and admin agent app.
Teams Premium
Teams Premium now provides real-time insights to optimize queue staffing and improve service levels.
- Service Level Metrics in Queues App:
Teams on Windows now displays real-time service level metrics in the Queues app, enabling authorized users to adjust staffing levels as needed.
Purview Information Protection
Purview Data Lifecycle Management will allow separate retention policies for Teams chats and Copilot interactions, and separate retention policies for Copilot and AI apps. Rollout begins mid-February.
Data Lifecycle Management now integrates with Adaptive protection, automatically preserving items deleted by high-risk users for restoration if needed. Rollout is in mid-March.
Look for a new graph in Microsoft Purview Data Security Posture Management for AI that displays the departments of users interacting with AI apps. The department data is from a user’s profile in Entra.
The Microsoft Purview Data Loss Prevention now includes Policy Insights in Microsoft 365 Copilot for Security, allowing admins to understand and align DLP policies effectively.
Purview Updates – Recap:
- Separate Retention Policies for Teams and Copilot:
Purview now supports separate retention policies for Teams chats and Copilot interactions. Rollout begins in mid-February. - Adaptive Protection Integration:
Automatically preserves items deleted by high-risk users for restoration if needed. Rolling out in mid-March. - Department-Level Insights for AI Apps:
New graphs in Microsoft Purview Data Security Posture Management display departments interacting with AI apps, using Entra profile data. - Policy Insights in DLP (Data Loss Prevention):
Admins can align and adjust DLP policies using insights provided by Microsoft 365 Copilot for Security.
SharePoint
- Approvals in Document Libraries:
SharePoint will soon allow users to configure and manage approvals directly in document libraries and Teams. Rollout completes by March. - Retirement of SharePoint Add-Ins and Workflows:
- SharePoint Add-Ins and 2013 workflows will be retired by April 2, 2026.
- Organizations should migrate to modern workflows before the deadline.
- Copilot Queries for SharePoint Agents:
Organizations with 50 or more Microsoft 365 Copilot licenses will receive 10,000 additional queries per month for SharePoint agents until June 30, 2025.
Outlook
Outlook (Classic)
- End of Support for Legacy Mac Versions:
After October 2025, Microsoft 365 subscriptions will no longer support legacy Outlook for Mac.
Outlook (Mobile)
- Improved Reporting Buttons:
- Users can report emails as phishing, junk, or not junk.
- Admins can customize reporting behavior through Defender for Office 365.
- Email Attachments in Compose Window:
Users will soon be able to attach emails directly in the compose window.
Outlook (New)
- Org Explorer:
- Visualizes company structures.
- Available without a Viva premium license after January 2025.
- S/MIME for Encrypted Emails:
- Rolling out for sending and reading signed and encrypted emails in Outlook for Windows.
Windows
January 2025 Security Update
Microsoft has released the January security update to ensure all supported versions of Windows remain protected.
- January 2025 Security Update:
Available for all supported Windows versions.
Full Enforcement Mode for Certificates
Windows is enhancing certificate authentication to meet modern security standards.
- Full Enforcement Mode for Certificates:
Starting with the February 2025 security updates, authentication for certificates that do not meet expected mapping requirements will be denied. Organizations can revert to Compatibility Mode until September 2025. For more details, refer to KB5014754.
Key Takeaways
Here are some of the top highlights you need to know from the latest updates:
- Pure Storage Enhancements:
Pure1® introduces AI-powered anomaly detection for proactive threat monitoring and unlimited bulk upgrades for enterprise efficiency.
- Microsoft Entra Updates:
Entra ID now offers real-time password spray protection, and FIDO2 passkeys extend to smartphones via the Authenticator app.
- Microsoft 365 Copilot & Teams:
New features include chart and graph creation, Context IQ integrations, and AI-driven meeting recap notes for enhanced collaboration.
- Rubrik Security Best Practices:
Features like MFA, IP allow lists, and user account lockout help strengthen defenses against modern threats.
- Teams Phone & Meetings:
Expect SMS chat capabilities, private replies in Q&A, and updated compliance for voicemail security.
Stay ahead of the curve with these cutting-edge tools and features that redefine the hybrid data center and modern workplace.
