The servicing lifecycle is the period during which a software version continues to receive security fixes, feature updates, and vendor support. It is tied to a specific release and sometimes to a specific edition or SKU, so two systems running the same product name may not share the same support window.
In cyber security, the servicing lifecycle matters because unsupported software stops getting patches for newly discovered vulnerabilities. Attackers often target expired versions, knowing they will not be corrected by the vendor. Defenders use lifecycle tracking to find end-of-support systems, plan upgrades, and prove patch coverage. In practice, this means inventorying versions, checking deadlines, and moving devices to a supported release before protection ends.