Legacy systems, the reliable workhorses of the past, can become security nightmares in today’s ever-evolving threat landscape. While they may keep critical functions running smoothly, their outdated technology and lack of modern security features create vulnerabilities that cybercriminals are eager to exploit. Let’s explore five key ways legacy systems can significantly increase your cybersecurity risk:

1. Outdated Security Can’t Keep Up with Modern Threats.

Remember the massive Log4j vulnerability that shook the cybersecurity world in late 2021? Legacy systems, often running on unsupported operating systems or software versions, miss out on critical security patches like these. This exposes them to known vulnerabilities attackers can easily leverage to access sensitive data or disrupt operations.

2. Legacy Dependencies on Aging Hardware and Software.

Many legacy systems rely on outdated hardware and software for core functionalities. Not actively developed or supported, these components are often riddled with unaddressed security flaws. For a recent example highlighting the security risks posed by outdated software, the Adobe ColdFusion vulnerability CVE-2023-26360 case is a strong illustration. In 2023, threat actors actively exploited this flaw to breach systems, including two U.S. federal government agencies, targeting their outdated versions of ColdFusion. Hackers exploited this vulnerability to gain access, install malware, and perform reconnaissance activities on the compromised systems. However, prompt defensive measures thwarted lateral movement and data exfiltration.

3. Limited Visibility into Security Posture.

Legacy systems often lack the built-in security features present in modern platforms. They may struggle to integrate with modern security tools like Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems, hindering the ability to have a comprehensive view of a company’s security posture. This lack of visibility makes detecting suspicious activity or potential breaches within the legacy system difficult.

4. Accidental Exposure of Internal Applications.

As business needs evolve, internal applications running on legacy systems can unintentionally be exposed to the internet over time. This creates a direct path for attackers to target them. One example is the 2023 Microsoft Azure data leak, where sensitive internal data was accidentally exposed due to a misconfigured endpoint. This exposure allowed unauthorized users to access information meant to remain internal, underscoring how overlooked configurations in legacy systems and applications can lead to significant data security risks.

5. Slow Integration of Modern Security Solutions.

Legacy systems often require significant modifications or complete rewrites to incorporate modern security features like multi-factor authentication or data encryption. Migrating these applications to the cloud is often incremental, as each component needs modification to work securely in the new environment. Until these applications are fully adapted, they’re more vulnerable to attacks and may not benefit from the cloud provider’s built-in security features.

Modernization is the path to a stronger security posture.

Ultimately, a long-term plan for modernizing or replacing legacy systems is crucial for a robust cybersecurity posture. Synchrony’s Modernization Lifecycle Platform (MLP) supports this process by automating the migration and transformation process, enabling collaborative workflows, and offering clear, traceable insights into software modernization. Continuous Modernization (CM) complements DevOps practices like Continuous Delivery (CD) and Continuous Integration (CI) by allowing organizations to apply software updates consistently and incrementally. This method enables smooth upgrades across in-house applications, APIs, and other software components, regardless of underlying technologies, keeping security and functionality aligned with evolving needs.

Contact us to learn how we could help you modernize your legacy applications.