Read time: 4 minutes
Outdated Legacy IT systems and long-standing software flaws are leaving the UK public sector exposed to cyber threats — and the risks extend far beyond government departments. If your business supplies or supports public services, it’s time to pay attention. And even if you don’t, it’s still time to pay attention!
The Outdated Legacy IT Problem We Can’t Ignore
A recent National Audit Office (NAO) report shows that 228 legacy systems are still operating within the UK government. Alarmingly, 58 of these are classed as critical — yet many lack proper oversight of known vulnerabilities. Add to this a cyber skills shortage, with one in three key roles either vacant or temporarily filled, and it’s clear: the public sector is struggling to keep its IT estate secure.
These challenges strongly echo a recent US-based study by Veracode, which found that 78% of public sector organisations are running with outdated legacy IT, leaving security flaws unresolved for over a year. While UK data on fix timelines is scarce, the warning signs are all too familiar.
Breaches Are Already Happening
This isn’t a theoretical risk. In the past year alone, we’ve seen:
- A data breach at the Legal Aid Agency impacting over 2 million people
- Ransomware attacks on the British Library and parts of the NHS
- Prolonged outages linked to outdated infrastructure and unpatched software
These incidents show how outdated legacy IT doesn’t just delay service — it exposes sensitive data, affects critical operations, and shakes public trust.
Why This Should Concern UK SMEs
If your business provides technology, software, consultancy, or other services to the public sector — directly or via partners — these issues directly affect you.
With the upcoming Cyber Security and Resilience Bill, there will be tighter compliance and supply chain security requirements. Organisations that can’t demonstrate robust practices could lose out on contracts or face additional scrutiny.
On the flip side, businesses that invest in secure development practices, continuous vulnerability scanning, and supply chain transparency will stand out for the right reasons.
What You Can Do Now
Whether or not you sell into the public sector, this is a critical moment to:
- Review your software supply chain, especially open-source dependencies
- Ensure vulnerabilities are detected and patched continuously, not just at release
- Support your development and infrastructure teams with tools and training
- Prepare for rising compliance expectations, even if you’re not yet directly affected
Final Thoughts
Cyber risk isn’t just an IT issue anymore — it’s a core business risk. As government departments struggle to modernise, their partners and suppliers must be ready to lead the way.
Delaying patching, ignoring inherited code, and underestimating security debt are no longer acceptable. For UK SMEs, this is a chance to turn compliance into a competitive edge — before the gap becomes too costly to close.
Whether or not you supply public sector organisations, you need to feel safe in the knowledge that cyber risks are being appropriately managed and in alignment with your budget. With our contract Business IT Support and Managed Services we have your back, leaving you free to get on with running and growing your business.
Now is a great time to start working towards Cyber Essentials or Cyber Essentials Plus to demonstrate to your customers and suppliers that your organisation is serious about cyber security. Here at Cosurica we have security specialists with decades of experience on hand, ready to help you and your organisation review your current IT systems and security measures, advising on improvements where required.
Give us a call on 01535 358161 or drop us an email via our contact page.
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