Let me share a hard truth that might make some of you uncomfortable: If you’re still running HxGN EAM version 11.7 or older, you’re not being “conservative” or “mature” with your technology decisions. You’re playing a dangerous game with your business, and every day you delay modernization adds more risk to an already precarious situation.

I know this sounds like typical vendor fear-mongering – trust me, I’ve heard it all before at conferences where every booth promises to revolutionize your operations. But here’s the difference: I’m not trying to sell you on flashy AI features or buzzword-heavy solutions. I’m talking about documented, exploitable security vulnerabilities and real infrastructure risks that could impact your operations tomorrow.

This isn’t about keeping up with the latest trends. This is about protecting your business and empowering your people with tools that actually work.

So let’s dive into the facts.

If you’re running HxGN EAM version 11.6 or earlier, your system contains CVE-2017-7952 – a SQL injection vulnerability with a CVSS score of 9.8 out of 10. That’s essentially a critical security flaw with publicly available exploit code.

What does this mean in practical terms?

An attacker could potentially access your EAM database without authentication, view sensitive operational data, modify maintenance schedules, or use your system as a stepping stone to other parts of your network. Your EAM system contains asset configurations, maintenance procedures, personnel information, and safety protocols – exactly the kind of information that could cause serious problems in the wrong hands.

The exploit code is available on public security databases, which means the barrier to entry for potential attackers is lower than you might think. While your network security and firewalls provide some protection, this vulnerability can be exploited through your EAM web interface – the same interface your technicians and remote workers use every day.

Your Infrastructure is Living on Borrowed Time

Beyond security vulnerabilities, let’s talk about the infrastructure your legacy system depends on. Most of you running version 11.7 are likely using SQL Server databases, which is the most common setup in our community. However, some organizations are still running Oracle databases, and both scenarios present challenges.

If you’re on the Oracle side, you’re probably running Oracle 18c or older 19c releases. Oracle 18c reached end of premier support in June 2021, with extended support ending in June 2024. That means no more security patches for your database platform.

For those on SQL Server, while the database platform itself may still be supported, you’re likely running on Windows Server 2012 R2, which reached end of extended support in October 2023. Microsoft isn’t providing security updates anymore.

Here’s what this means: you’re running business-critical software on platforms that won’t receive security patches. When new vulnerabilities are discovered – and they will be – you’re on your own. Current versions of HxGN EAM require modern database versions and operating systems that receive regular security updates and performance improvements.

The Compliance Challenge

For those of you in regulated industries, legacy systems create compliance headaches that get more expensive over time. Current versions of HxGN EAM have been independently validated for NERC CIP compliance by NAES, the power generation industry’s largest independent services provider. They confirmed that modern versions provide the encryption, access controls, audit trails, and incident response capabilities required for critical infrastructure protection.

Your version 11.7 system lacks many of these compliance features. When auditors review your systems, you may find yourself explaining why your critical infrastructure runs on software that doesn’t meet current security standards. The same applies to FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements for pharmaceutical and food companies, and SOC 2/ISO 27001 requirements for enterprise security frameworks.

Here’s something your finance team needs to understand: maintaining legacy systems isn’t actually cheaper than modernizing. The costs are just hidden and spread out over time.

Extended support contracts for end-of-life software can cost 200-300% of standard support fees. You’re paying premium prices for limited service. Security remediation requires additional monitoring and manual processes that are automated in current versions. Your IT team spends time on maintenance instead of strategic initiatives.

Then there’s the opportunity cost. While you’re managing legacy infrastructure, your competitors are leveraging AI-powered analytics, advanced mobile capabilities, and cloud-native scalability. They’re making faster decisions, responding to issues more quickly, and operating more efficiently.

Cloud deployment offers advantages that go beyond simple cost savings. Cloud customers receive software updates immediately with zero downtime, while on-premise customers typically wait 12-18 months for major updates. That means immediate access to new functionality, security patches, and compliance features.

Cloud versions provide advanced analytics capabilities that combine traditional EAM data with IoT sensor information, documents, and other operational data. AI and machine learning tools can analyze this information to provide insights into asset performance and maintenance optimization that simply aren’t possible with legacy on-premise systems.

The financial model is more flexible too. Cloud subscriptions eliminate large upfront capital expenditures while providing scalability based on actual business needs. You can grow or adjust your usage without infrastructure planning or additional hardware investments.

What really motivates me about this issue is thinking about your people. Your technicians are struggling with mobile apps that barely function. Your maintenance planners are fighting interfaces that haven’t been meaningfully updated in years. Your managers are making decisions based on reports that take hours to generate.

Current versions include AI chat assistants for natural language queries, modern mobile apps with offline functionality, intuitive interfaces with personalization options, and advanced analytics that turn data into actionable insights. Your people deserve tools that make their jobs easier, not harder.

I understand that migration feels complex and risky. But continuing to operate on a fundamentally compromised platform is more risky than modernizing. The good news is that migration doesn’t have to be the nightmare you might imagine.

Modern tools like the HxGN EAM Import Utility handle data migration automatically. Cloud deployment eliminates infrastructure compatibility issues. Experienced implementation partners can guide you through the process and help you avoid common pitfalls.

The key is thinking about this as business transformation, not just a technology project. You’re not just upgrading software – you’re improving security, ensuring compliance, giving your people better tools, and positioning your organization for future success.

Every day you delay modernization, the problem gets worse and the solution gets more expensive. Security vulnerabilities accumulate. Infrastructure becomes more obsolete. The gap between your capabilities and modern alternatives widens.

You have a choice: continue pretending your legacy system is “mature” while it slowly becomes a liability, or face the reality and take action to modernize before it’s too late.

The vulnerabilities are real. The compliance requirements aren’t going away. Your people need better tools. Your competitors aren’t waiting.