Cybersecurity Awareness Month? We're Partying Like It's 1999 (But With Better Firewalls)

It's October, which means it's time for pumpkin spice lattes, spooky decorations, and... Cybersecurity Awareness Month.

Yeah, we know. It doesn't exactly have the same ring to it as "Halloween" or "Thanksgiving." But here at GAP, we think cybersecurity is worth celebrating. After all, without it, we'd all be living in a digital Wild West, where hackers and cybercriminals run rampant.

Now, we're not talking about dusting off your old antivirus software or changing your password to "password123" (please don't do that). We're talking about facing the real cybersecurity elephant in the room: your legacy software.

Yeah, we know. That VB6 application has been chugging along since the dial-up era. And sure, that PowerBuilder system might be older than some of your employees. But let's be honest, those ancient relics are cybersecurity nightmares waiting to happen.

They're like digital dinosaurs, lumbering through the modern internet, completely oblivious to the dangers lurking around every corner. They're riddled with vulnerabilities, unsupported by their creators, and ripe for exploitation by hackers and cybercriminals.

As a reminder, there are a bunch of hidden dangers lurking in your legacy systems – and they pose big security risks:

• They're stuck in the past. Remember when parachute pants were cool? Yeah, these systems are about that old. They can't keep up with today's threats. It's like trying to fight off a ninja with a water pistol.

• They're full of holes. Imagine your house with a bunch of unlocked windows and doors. That's what an unpatched system is like. Hackers know exactly where the weak spots are, and they're just waiting to waltz right in.

• They don't play well with others. Trying to get those old systems to work with modern security tools is like trying to fit a square peg in a round hole. It just doesn't work, and it leaves your whole network vulnerable.

• They're rule breakers. Remember GDPR and CCPA? Those data protection laws? Well, those old systems are probably breaking all the rules. And that can lead to some hefty fines.

So, this Cybersecurity Awareness Month, we're challenging you to do something bold. Ditch that digital dinosaur.

Modernize your legacy systems, embrace the cloud, and give your cybersecurity posture the upgrade it deserves.

Trust us, your IT team will thank you. And your data will be a whole lot safer.

Here's to a Cybersecurity Awareness Month filled with modernization, not malware!

P.S. If you're ready to take the plunge and modernize your legacy systems, we're here to help. Contact us today for a free consultation with an engineer.

Erika Carvajal is VP of Information Services at GAP.  Erika’s core mission is leveraging technology and optimizing processes to support GAP’s mission. Erika ensures seamless access to information, drives innovative digital initiatives, and enhances business processes for improved efficiency and productivity.