Is Microsoft Office 2016, 2019 and 2021 supported for Cyber Essentials?
Vendor end-of-support dates by version, and what the security update management control requires if you are past one.
- Status
- 2 of 6 versions supported as of 3 November 2026
- Next end of support
- 9 October 2029 (Office LTSC 2024)
- Vendor
- Microsoft
- Category
- Office application
- Source
- Vendor lifecycle page
- CE Plus test
- Test case 2: authenticated vulnerability scan
Partly. As of 3 November 2026, 2 of 6 listed Microsoft Office 2016, 2019 and 2021 versions are supported for Cyber Essentials. Office 2016, Office 2019, Office 2021 and Office LTSC 2021 no longer receive security updates and fail A6.2. The next listed end of security updates is 9 October 2029 (Office LTSC 2024).
Is Microsoft Office 2016, 2019 and 2021 supported for Cyber Essentials?
Partly. 2 of 6 listed Microsoft Office 2016, 2019 and 2021 versions were supported on 3 November 2026; the table shows which.
Office 2016 and Office 2019 reached end of support on 14 October 2025, and Office 2021 and Office LTSC 2021 on 13 October 2026. All four are unsupported software for A6.2 and A6.2.4. Upgrade to Microsoft 365 Apps on a supported channel or Office LTSC 2024.
Which Microsoft Office 2016, 2019 and 2021 versions are supported?
Office LTSC 2024, Microsoft 365 Apps (Current, Monthly Enterprise or Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel) are supported as of 3 November 2026. Office 2016, Office 2019, Office 2021, Office LTSC 2021 are past end of support.
| Version | Updates end | Cyber Essentials | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Office 2016 | 14 October 2025 | Fail | |
| Office 2019 | 14 October 2025 | Fail | |
| Office 2021 | 13 October 2026 | Fail | |
| Office LTSC 2021 | 13 October 2026 | Fail | |
| Office LTSC 2024 | 9 October 2029 | Pass | Fixed lifecycle, no extended support phase. |
| Microsoft 365 Apps (Current, Monthly Enterprise or Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel) | No fixed date (rolling) | Pass | Supported while it updates on a supported channel and the build is still in support. |
Source: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/end-of-support/end-of-support-2026. Last checked 3 November 2026.
How do you check which Microsoft Office 2016, 2019 and 2021 version you are running?
You need the exact version for the device and software lists in the question set, and to compare against the table above. Check each in-scope device, or export the version column from your device management tool.
- In any Office app, open File > Account and read the product name under Product Information (for example Office LTSC Professional Plus 2021 or Microsoft 365 Apps for business).
- Select About Word (or the app name) on the same page to see the version, build and update channel.
- On a Mac, open the app menu > About Word to see the version.
Record the version with the date you checked it. That dated record is the evidence behind your A6.2 answer and the version lists in A6.2.1 to A6.2.4.
What does "supported" mean under A6.2?
Supported means a vendor still issues regular security updates for the version and has published the date it will stop. Past that date, the version is unsupported.
The requirements define licensed and supported software as software you have a legal right to use and that a vendor has committed to support by providing regular vulnerability fixes, where the vendor provides the future date they will stop. Extended support counts while you can evidence the entitlement. Once the date passes, the software is unsupported whatever it still does.
Question A6.2 asks whether all software on in-scope devices are supported by a vendor that produces regular security updates. It applies to every device in scope, including staff-owned devices under BYOD, and to firewall and router firmware, which the A6.1 guidance treats as an operating system. The same guidance lists Windows 10, macOS Ventura, iOS 15 and Android 12 among its examples of operating systems out of regular support. Paid extensions such as Extended Security Updates count while you can show the licence.
What happens if Microsoft Office 2016, 2019 and 2021 is unsupported?
An unsupported Microsoft Office 2016, 2019 and 2021 version on any in-scope device stops the assessment passing: A6.2 cannot be answered Yes, and A6.3 would be a Yes, which means the licensed-and-supported requirement is not met. It is not labelled an automatic fail, but the assessor will not pass the application until it is fixed. There are three ways to fix it; pick one per device before you submit.
- Upgrade to a supported version. This is the answer for almost every laptop, desktop and server. For applications with a paid extension, enrol and keep the proof.
- Remove the software from in-scope devices, and answer yes to A6.6.
- Move the device into a defined sub-set that prevents all traffic to or from the internet, describe how in A2.2.2, and declare it under A6.7. A sub-set is segregated by a firewall or VLAN. It is a last resort for equipment that cannot be upgraded.
How does Cyber Essentials Plus check this?
Test case 2 checks it: an authenticated vulnerability scan of sampled end-user devices, servers and IaaS instances. The sub-test fails if the scan finds a vulnerability rated critical or high risk by the vendor, scored 7 or above on CVSS v3, or with no severity given, where the vendor fix has been available for more than 14 days.
The test specification adds that virtual patching is not accepted as a long-term mitigation for legacy unsupported operating systems. The Plus audit tests the same scope as the self-assessment certificate, so fix unsupported software before the self-assessment, not after.
Frequently asked questions
Partly. 2 of 6 listed Microsoft Office 2016, 2019 and 2021 versions were supported on 3 November 2026; the table shows which. Office 2016 and Office 2019 reached end of support on 14 October 2025, and Office 2021 and Office LTSC 2021 on 13 October 2026. All four are unsupported software for A6.2 and A6.2.4. Upgrade to Microsoft 365 Apps on a supported channel or Office LTSC 2024.
Licensed and supported software is software you have a legal right to use and that a vendor has committed to support with regular vulnerability fixes, with a published future date when they will stop. Extended support still counts. A version past its end-of-support date, or on a paid extension you cannot evidence, is unsupported.
The assessment will not pass until you fix it: A6.2 cannot be answered Yes, and A6.3 (unsupported software in scope) would have to be answered Yes. A6.3 is not labelled an automatic fail, but a Yes means the requirement that all in-scope software is licensed and supported is not met. The three fixes are: upgrade to a supported version, remove the software from in-scope devices, or move those devices into a sub-set with no internet access and declare it under A6.7.
Yes, indirectly. Test case 2 is an authenticated vulnerability scan of sampled devices. Any critical or high-risk vulnerability, or one with a CVSS v3 score of 7 or above, where the vendor fix has been available for more than 14 days fails the sub-test. The specification also states that virtual patching of legacy unsupported operating systems is not accepted.
The dataset was last checked on 3 November 2026 against the vendor lifecycle page linked on this page. Vendors change dates, so confirm against the source before relying on a date near your assessment.
Related pages
- A6.2: supported softwareThe question, the guidance and how assessors mark it.
- A6.7: moving unsupported software out of scopeHow a sub-set must be built.
- Security update managementThe control hub, including the 14-day rule.
- Is it supported? toolLook up any product in the dataset.
- A6.3: unlicensed or unsupported softwareWhat the question asks and why a Yes means the requirement is not met.
- Check your readinessFree checker that asks the auto-fail questions first.
- Microsoft 365 and Entra ID setup guideSettings that keep this product updating within 14 days.
- Glossary: licensed and supported softwareThe NCSC definition, including the published end date.
- NCSCNCSC, Cyber Essentials: Requirements for IT Infrastructure v3.3 · April 2026Read on ncsc.gov.uk (opens in a new tab)
- NCSCNCSC, Cyber Essentials Plus Test Specification v3.2Read on ncsc.gov.uk (opens in a new tab)
- learn.microsoft.comMicrosoft lifecycle page for Microsoft Office 2016, 2019 and 2021 · checked 3 November 2026Read on learn.microsoft.com (opens in a new tab)
Would you pass the 2026 question set?
Answer 24 yes or no questions, built by the assessors who mark Cyber Essentials, and get a readiness score in about five minutes, with any auto-fail questions you miss flagged first in your results.
- IASME Certification Body
- CREST accredited
- IASME fee included
- UK offices in Leeds, Newcastle, London and Edinburgh