CrowdStrike Falcon for Legacy Systems: Modern Security for Legacy Environments

CrowdStrike Falcon for Legacy Systems delivers anti-malware protection to Windows operating systems and enables security teams to easily manage modern and legacy endpoints.

Many organizations across critical industries such as healthcare, manufacturing and energy rely on legacy Windows operating systems to run essential equipment. These systems, while operationally vital, are notoriously difficult and costly to upgrade — leaving them vulnerable to modern cyber threats. 

CrowdStrike is addressing this challenge by expanding our legacy support with the general availability of CrowdStrike Falcon® for Legacy Systems. Our comprehensive solution is designed to bridge this critical security gap by helping organizations more easily manage and protect endpoints whether they’re running a modern or legacy operating system.

Protecting the Past with the Power of the Future

Falcon for Legacy Systems offers lightweight anti-malware protection tailored for legacy Windows operating systems such as Windows XP, Server 2003, Windows 8/8.1, and more. By seamlessly integrating with the CrowdStrike Falcon® platform, organizations can now manage both modern and legacy endpoints through a single, centralized console. This unified approach eliminates the need for multiple vendors, reduces operational complexity and enhances efficiency.

Powered by machine learning, this solution ensures real-time protection that’s always up-to-date. Unlike traditional antivirus solutions, Falcon for Legacy Systems is built on a signatureless, cloud-native architecture, delivering superior threat detection and prevention without overburdening system resources.

Why Falcon for Legacy Systems?

Securing legacy systems has become a persistent challenge for organizations, with three primary obstacles standing in their way. First, fragmented security management complicates the process. Many solutions require separate tools to manage legacy systems, leading to inefficiencies and leaving critical security gaps. 

Compounding the problem are traditional antivirus tools, which often consume significant resources. These tools rely on heavy updates, and their system scans can severely degrade performance on older hardware, further straining operations. And finally, limited support exacerbates the issue. As vendors discontinue their support for outdated operating systems, organizations are left scrambling for viable alternatives.

Figure 1. The range of operating systems supported by Falcon for Legacy Systems Figure 1. The range of operating systems supported by Falcon for Legacy Systems

Recognizing these challenges, Falcon for Legacy Systems simplifies security management by unifying oversight of all legacy and modern endpoints within the same intuitive Falcon UI, streamlining operations and reducing complexity. Its lightweight architecture minimizes performance impact, specifically catering to the limitations of resource-constrained environments. 

Falcon for Legacy Systems offers consistently updated protection, leveraging real-time threat detection powered by cloud-based machine learning. With these capabilities, legacy systems are shielded against today’s sophisticated cyber threats, ensuring organizations can maintain robust security without compromising performance or operational efficiency.

Real-World Impact Across Industries

From securing medical devices in healthcare to safeguarding industrial machinery in manufacturing, Falcon for Legacy Systems empowers organizations to protect their critical infrastructure without disruptive or costly upgrades. By consolidating cybersecurity on the Falcon platform, customers can maintain robust cybersecurity while focusing on their operational goals.

Operating System Coverage

Falcon for Legacy Systems supports a wide range of legacy Windows operating systems, including:

  • Windows XP 32-bit — Service Pack 3
  • Windows XP 64-bit — Service Pack 2
  • Windows Server 2003 32-bit and 64-bit — Service Pack 2
  • Windows Server 2003 R2 32-bit and 64-bit — Service Pack 2
  • Windows Vista 32-bit and 64-bit — Service Pack 2
  • Windows Server 2008 32-bit and 64-bit — Service Pack 2
  • Windows Embedded POSReady 2009
  • Windows 8 32-bit and 64-bit
  • Windows 8.1 32-bit and 64-bit

For more information on CrowdStrike’s supported systems and detailed specifications, visit our product page.

Additional Resources

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