The Drupal Association has published this guest blog on behalf of HeroDevs.

The official end-of-life (EOL) date for Drupal 7 is January 5, 2025. However, as outlined in the PSA issued on June 7, 2023, the Drupal Security Team announced a change in their support strategy that would take effect before the official EOL date. Starting August 1, 2023, they implemented a reduced support structure for moderately critical Drupal 7 issues.

Why the Reduced Support Structure Matters

When a Drupal 7 module is marked as unsupported, it means that no further updates or security patches will be provided. This situation can leave your site vulnerable to potential security risks and negatively impact performance. As highlighted in the PSA, the Drupal Security Team follows a structured process: they first notify maintainers and provide them with a two-week window to respond and address the issue. If maintainers do not act within this timeframe, the module may be marked as unsupported, and support will cease altogether. This can create significant challenges, particularly for sites reliant on these modules. 

HeroDevs’ Proactive and Comprehensive Approach  

At HeroDevs, we understand the urgency of this issue. We’ve proactively stepped in to bridge the gap by forking and maintaining modules that are no longer supported by their original maintainers, with Drupal 7 Never-Ending Support. Our approach means that even as official support dwindles, your modules continue to receive the necessary updates and fixes. By taking over security maintenance, we help keep your site secure and operational, allowing you to focus on what matters most without worrying about vulnerabilities or disruptions.

Forking and Maintaining Unsupported Modules: HeroDevs has already begun forking and maintaining modules that have been dropped by their original maintainers in the last year. This approach makes sure that essential functionality remains intact and that any emerging security vulnerabilities are promptly addressed. By doing so, we help maintain the security and integrity of your site even as support from the Drupal community wanes.

Guidance for Custom and Legacy Modules: While custom modules and unique code are not covered under the standard SLA, HeroDevs provides guidance and support to help you integrate and maintain these solutions. We collaborate with you to ensure that your custom developments are compatible and functional with our Drupal 7 NES offering.

Maintaining Compatibility and Functionality: Beyond just security patches, HeroDevs works to test the compatibility of your modules with the evolving web landscape. We address compatibility issues and provide a seamless experience for developers working with legacy systems. This comprehensive support approach helps you avoid disruptions and maintain smooth operations.

Conclusion

As the Drupal 7 ecosystem transitions into its extended support phase, HeroDevs is committed to delivering robust and proactive support for unsupported modules. Our dedication to maintaining security, functionality, and compatibility means you can rely on us to safeguard your Drupal 7 site and navigate the end-of-life transition with confidence. With HeroDevs by your side, you can focus on planning your migration or upgrades while we handle the challenges of unsupported modules. Contact us to learn more about Drupal 7 NES.