ERP Archiving: Why failed penetration tests pose a genuine risk?
By Emanuel Böminghaus, Legacy Systems Expert and Managing Director, AvenDATA
By Emanuel Böminghaus
Legacy Systems Expert and
Managing Director, AvenDATA
Managing Director, AvenDATA
ERP archiving is increasingly moving into focus as more Companies conduct penetration Tests and Security Audits. A key reason for this is the continued use of Legacy ERP Systems that are technically outdated, often no longer patchable or simply insecure. These older Systems contain sensitive Business and Employee Data yet no longer meet today’s Security Standards. Every failed penetration Test not only increases Cyber Risk, but it can also undermine Customer Trust, Certifications and Business Relationships.
Legacy Systems as the main driver of penetration test weaknesses
In practice, it is becoming more apparent that penetration Tests tend to fail not because of Modern Systems but due to old ERP Environments that should have been decommissioned long ago. Missing Security Updates, outdated Authentication Mechanisms and unencrypted Interfaces are typical Weaknesses. This is where ERP archiving becomes essential. By completely outsourcing historical ERP Data, Legacy Systems can be shut down cleanly without compromising Data Integrity, Reporting Capabilities or Compliance Requirements.
Not only ERP Systems, but older Databases remain the core Problem
One of the most critical Factors are the underlying Databases on which many Legacy ERP Systems are built. Outdated Database Versions without Security Support, weak Encryption, old User and Permission Models as well as open Ports are common reasons for penetration Test failures. Even if the ERP System is hardly used, the Databases often remain active, accessible and therefore vulnerable. ERP Archiving therefore also means consistently emptying active Databases, decoupling them and removing them from Operation. This is a decisive step towards reducing real Security Risks.
ERP Archiving improves Security, Compliance and Audit Capability
Professional ERP Archiving significantly reduces the Attack Surface. As soon as a Legacy ERP System is no longer operated productively, it also no longer appears as a weakness in penetration Tests. At the same time, archived Data remains revision secure, traceable and audit ready. This not only simplifies Security Inspections but also Certifications such as ISO, SOC or Industry specific Compliance Requirements. ERP Archiving therefore becomes an active Contribution to IT Security, not merely an Archiving Topic.
ERP Archiving as an essential step for successful penetration Tests
Companies that want to regularly pass penetration Tests can no longer avoid ERP Archiving. Old Systems cannot be “Secured” but must be replaced consistently. ERP Archiving makes exactly this possible. Data remains preserved, Risks disappear. Anyone who continues to operate Legacy Systems for Security Reasons risks permanently negative Test results, high Follow up Costs and in the worst Case, Security Incidents. ERP Archiving is therefore no longer a secondary IT Topic but a strategic Lever for Cybersecurity and Future Readiness.
Let Legacy ERP Systems and insecure Databases no longer sabotage your penetration Tests. Switch now to professional ERP Archiving and eliminate your Security Risks before Auditors or Attackers address them first.