Do Virtual Machines guarantee security for Legacy Systems?
By Emanuel Böminghaus, Legacy Systems Expert and Managing Director, AvenDATA
By Emanuel Böminghaus
Legacy Systems Expert and
Managing Director, AvenDATA
Managing Director, AvenDATA
Introduction: The illusion of security in legacy systems
Many companies assume that a legacy system is secure as long as it runs stably and is not actively used. This assumption is dangerous. A legacy system is not a frozen, risk-free state but a technical burden that becomes more insecure with each passing year. Missing updates, outdated operating systems and unavailable manufacturer support turn legacy systems into a growing security risk, even when they appear to be operated in isolation.
Technical Risks: Old Software stays vulnerable to attacks
Legacy systems often rely on operating systems, databases and application components for which security updates have long ceased. Known vulnerabilities remain permanently open and new attack patterns are no longer addressed. Firewalls, network segmentation or virtual machines do nothing to change this fundamental issue. At the latest, during internal or external penetration tests, these systems fail because well-known exploits cannot be closed. A legacy system therefore poses a risk not only to itself but to the entire IT landscape.
Compliance and Liability: Security responsibilities persist after decommissioning
Alongside technical security, the regulatory dimension plays a central role. Even a decommissioned or rarely used legacy system remains subject to legal requirements. Companies must ensure availability, integrity, traceability and access protection. A compromised legacy system can, in the worst case, lead to data protection incidents, liability issues and significant fines. Security therefore means not only protection against attacks but also legal safeguarding over many years.
The Secure Alternative: Decommissioning Instead of carrying forward
A legacy system does not become secure simply because it is “left alone” On the contrary: the longer it remains in operation, the greater the risks and costs. The sustainable solution is to extract data in a structured manner, archive it in a way that is Audit-Proof and completely decommission the legacy system. With experienced partners like AvenDATA, legacy systems can be shut down in a controlled way while ensuring legally required access remains available. This reduces attack surfaces, lowers operating costs and it creates genuine security.
A legacy system is not secure. It is merely old. Security does not arise from inactivity but from controlled shutdown and professional archiving. Consistently replacing legacy systems protects not only your IT but also your company from technical, legal and economic risks.