In the world of IT, understanding the lifecycle of hardware and software is crucial. Two important terms often encountered are End Of Life (EOL) and End Of Service (EOS). EOL refers to the stage when a manufacturer stops producing a particular product. While the product is no longer available for purchase, it may still receive support and updates. In contrast, EOS, or End Of Service, denotes the point when the manufacturer ceases all forms of support for the product, including updates, patches, and assistance.
Legacy infrastructure isn’t going away—but its risks are growing.
As digital transformation accelerates, many organizations still rely on aging systems—classified as End-of-Life (EoL)—to support critical workloads. These systems may be unsupported by vendors but remain core to operations.
More than 40% of tech assets in global enterprises are at or near EoL
— Forbes
While the business case for keeping them running is understandable, the cybersecurity tradeoffs can no longer be ignored.
No more vendor patches or updates
Incompatible with modern security tools
Prone to ransomware, lateral movement, and credential theft
Fail to meet fundamental security and compliance standards for protected data
Hardware failure due to part shortages
According to IBM’s 2023 Data Breach Report, the average cost of a breach is now $4.45 million—a risk no aging system should be allowed to carry unchecked
Cybersecurity Risks Associated with Legacy Systems
While extending the lifespan of legacy systems offers numerous benefits, it also introduces cybersecurity risks. Legacy systems, particularly those that have reached EOS, are more vulnerable to cyber attacks due to the lack of updates and patches. Attackers can exploit known vulnerabilities in outdated software and hardware, gaining unauthorized access to sensitive data and critical systems.
A notable example is the 2021 incident involving a Fortinet VPN vulnerability. Attackers exploited a known vulnerability in an outdated Fortinet VPN device, gaining access to login credentials and using tools like Mimikatz to escalate privileges. This resulted in significant financial and operational disruptions for the affected organization.
Legacy systems often lack the ability to install modern cybersecurity software, further exacerbating their vulnerability. Additionally, these systems may rely on outdated authentication methods and privileged accounts with unchangeable passwords, making them prime targets for attackers.
Third-party maintenance services play a crucial role in extending the lifespan of legacy systems while mitigating associated risks. These companies offer support and maintenance for hardware that has reached EOL and EOS, providing a cost-effective alternative to frequent tech refresh cycles.
These services offer several advantages, including multi-vendor support and flexible contracts. Organizations can consolidate support for various devices from different manufacturers under a single contract, simplifying management and reducing administrative overhead. Additionally, third-party maintenance providers often offer more flexible terms, allowing organizations to adjust the duration of their contracts based on their specific needs.
By partnering with third-party maintenance providers, organizations can continue to use their existing hardware without sacrificing reliability or performance. This approach not only reduces costs but also minimizes the disruptions associated with frequent hardware replacements.
In conclusion, extending the lifespan of legacy systems is a viable strategy for organizations looking to reduce costs and maximize the return on their IT investments.
However, it is crucial to address the cybersecurity risks associated with using outdated hardware and software. By partnering with third-party maintenance providers and integrating modern cyber defense solutions, organizations can achieve a harmonious balance between cost savings and robust security, ensuring the continued reliability and performance of their IT infrastructure.
Safous Privileged Remote Access (PRA) strengthens security for End-of-Life (EoL) and End-of-Support (EoS) systems by going beyond third-party maintenance. While hardware support is essential to keep legacy assets operational, Safous PRA acts as a critical compensating control by enforcing Zero Trust principles to reduce cyber risks in environments no longer supported by vendors. With VPN-less architecture, application-level access control, and agentless deployment, Safous ensures secure connectivity without widening the attack surface. MFA, credential vaulting, and privileged session recording protect against credential theft and unauthorised actions, while offline and on-premises support enable continuous protection even in air-gapped or isolated networks. This combined approach for hardware maintenance plus PRA which allows organisations to sustain legacy systems without sacrificing security or compliance.
Don’t wait until your aging systems are exploited.
👉 Watch the webinar on demand and explore how DCSS and Safous secure legacy systems with modern defense.