Legacy Systems: The Hidden Vulnerability in Retail's Rapid Expansion

As retailers accelerate their omnichannel strategies and expand into new markets to meet evolving consumer demands, the integration of legacy systems into modern infrastructures presents significant cybersecurity challenges.

In a written reply to RetailMeetsAI.com, Paolo Palumbo, Vice President of WithSecure Intelligence, highlighted the risks:

“When retailers rush to open new stores or distribution centers, there's often inadequate assessment of legacy IT systems. This oversight can introduce vulnerabilities that cybercriminals are quick to exploit.”

From POS systems to backend ERPs, many retailers still rely on outdated technology that wasn’t built for today’s connected, cloud-based environments. When these legacy platforms are hastily deployed into new operational settings — often without full integration or proper security audits — they create exploitable gaps in the supply chain.

Paolo Palumbo, Vice President of WithSecure Intelligence

Palumbo emphasized that common issues include insufficient supplier vetting, poor technology compatibility checks, and a lack of contingency planning. These factors can lead to data silos, increased exposure to ransomware, and operational disruptions — especially during peak trading seasons.

To mitigate these risks, Palumbo recommends:

• Comprehensive Risk Assessments before integrating legacy systems into new sites or fulfillment centers.

• Strict Supplier Cybersecurity Standards to reduce risk exposure across third-party networks.

• Proactive Incident Response Planning to minimize damage from breaches and speed up recovery.

  
  

For retailers, the challenge isn’t just technological — it’s strategic. As Palumbo put it, “Security is not about being perfect; it’s about being ready.”