Aging Tech: A Silent Cybersecurity Threat Exposed

Aging digital infrastructure, including routers and storage, presents a persistent and often overlooked cybersecurity vulnerability. These legacy systems may harbor outdated, insecure configurations and are frequently no longer supported with essential software patches, leaving organizations exposed. The increasing sophistication of cyberattacks, amplified by generative AI tools, exacerbates these risks.

In response, Cisco has launched its 'Resilient Infrastructure' initiative. This program includes research, industry outreach, and technical updates designed to address the security concerns of older Cisco devices and other legacy products. New warnings will alert users to end-of-life products and insecure configurations, with a long-term plan to phase out outdated settings entirely.

Research indicates that countries like the UK and US face substantial risks from their aging critical national infrastructure, while Japan demonstrates lower relative risk due to consistent upgrades and a national focus on digital resilience. Experts emphasize that the cost of maintaining outdated technology is significant, even if not immediately accounted for, urging a board-level understanding of digital resilience.