Legacy technology - High risk and cost in the public sector

Legacy technology presents a significant risk across the UK public sector. While the reliability of public services remains critical, many foundational systems are built on outdated technologies that are no longer supported or cannot be upgraded. Research published by Gov.UK indicates that approximately 28% of the central UK government’s technology estate qualifies as legacy, with comparable or higher figures reported across the National Health Service (NHS), ranging from 10% to 50%. Between 2023 and 2024, the same research by Gov.UK also recorded a 26% increase in "red-rated" legacy systems - those classified as both high-risk and high-impact. Such outdated platforms usually carry well-documented security gaps, receive no ongoing vendor support, and fail to align with shifting business requirements. In extreme cases, they can endanger national security, public health and personal safety.

According to the NHS, while a 900GBP million investment was made to modernise digital infrastructure, many trusts still rely on fragmented, outdated, or difficult-to-maintain systems. In the same report,  legacy systems continue to disrupt hospital operations across the UK, with nearly half of NHS hospital trusts reporting issues using electronic patient record (EPR) systems. These outdated or poorly integrated systems struggle to meet modern clinical demands, which can compromise the reliability of critical patient information and pose serious risks to patient safety and the overall quality of care.

To support organisations in modernising legacy systems, FPT provides comprehensive solutions across various industries, including healthcare, public services, transportation, and BFSI. Recognising that cost management and operational efficiency are critical to successful modernisation, FPT delivers measurable business value through a flexible global delivery model. By leveraging a strategic mix of onshore, nearshore, and offshore resources, FPT offers 24/7 support and the ability to scale teams in alignment with project needs. This approach ensures clients can access the right expertise at the right time, optimising performance and cost-effectiveness.
Driven by its strategic focus on AI, FPT integrates cutting-edge AI innovations into legacy modernisation efforts for its global customer base. To accelerate this transformation, FPT has developed and deployed AI-enabled platforms such as EMT (Engineering Platform and Modernisation Technologies), xMainframe, and CodeVista. Notably, by leveraging xMainframe - an advanced large language model (LLM) to seamlessly understand and interact with legacy mainframe systems and COBOL codebases - FPT has achieved a 30% reduction in onboarding time. Additionally, with xMainframe, companies can achieve accuracy rates of up to 97% and 6 times more efficient than previous models such as ChatGPT 3.5 and 4. 

Increasing cybersecurity threats

Cybersecurity threats are escalating rapidly. In the UK, the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) reported a 50% increase in nationally significant incidents in 2024 and a threefold rise in incident severity. This shift reflects a more complex threat landscape, intensified by geopolitical tensions and the growing use of AI in cyber operations. The private sector remains highly vulnerable: 50% of UK businesses reported breaches in the past year, and 75% have now made cybersecurity a senior leadership priority, according to the 2024 UK Cyber Security Breaches Survey. These attacks could have been mitigated with robust cybersecurity and data protection practices. However, according to the State of Digital Government Technical Leadership Survey, only 50% of digital government leaders expressed confidence in their ability to prevent a breach.

FPT, with extensive experience in cybersecurity, a vast pool of data experts, and strict adherence to global compliance standards, can deliver comprehensive solutions spanning the entire cybersecurity lifecycle. FPT’s standardised cybersecurity management packages are designed to detect and neutralise threats before deployment, significantly reducing risk, time, and complexity. FPT has joined the Microsoft Intelligent Security Association (MISA) as its first member in Vietnam, emphasising the company’s cyber security expertise and knowledge. This achievement marks another step for FPT in enhancing its strategic position as a Microsoft Solutions Partner in Security, demonstrating FPT’s capabilities in system and information security to worldwide clients.
FPT has empowered the global customer base to strengthen security posture through innovative solutions. For instance, a leading company in conversation intelligence technology was grappling with the complexities of managing identities across Microsoft Azure and AWS cloud platforms. As the company expanded, maintaining security and establishing a Zero Trust framework became increasingly challenging for the client. As a solution, the client adopted FPT’s Identity Governance, which automated identity management workflows and reduced administrative overhead by 40%. This automation allowed the IT teams to shift their focus from routine management tasks to more strategic initiatives. Additionally, FPT streamlined identity management processes, resulting in a 70% decrease in unauthorised access attempts. These advancements highlighted the effectiveness of FPT’s approaches in protecting sensitive information and mitigating security risks.

Underutilised and fragmented data to train AI 

Many organisations still rely on outdated infrastructure and non-interoperable systems, resulting in data silos that obstruct collaboration between departments. This fragmentation is driven by several factors, including high API costs, inconsistent data governance, and cultural barriers such as strong data ownership and hesitation to share or aggregate personal data. While legislative efforts such as Digital Economy Act 2017 and the ONS Integrated Data Service initiatives were made, progress has been slow due to complex approval processes and limited enforcement. Without coordinated efforts to modernise infrastructure and standardise data management, the UK risks falling short of its digital and AI ambitions.
Furthermore, data remains significantly underutilised in the training and deployment of AI tools. AI holds vast potential for transformation with over 140 use cases identified across the central government. According to research by the UK Parliament, poor data quality and limited accessibility often hinder effective implementation. Therefore, FPT is positioned to help organisations overcome these challenges. As a trusted partner, FPT provides end-to-end solutions, from designing integrated data strategies that address fragmentation to deploying expert AI engineers who prepare and optimise data for future use. This comprehensive approach enables organisations to unlock the full value of their data and accelerate AI adoption with greater confidence. 
 

Transforming the UK’s tech landscape with FPT

Legacy systems, data fragmentation, and increasing cybersecurity threats are significant obstacles holding back the UK’s tech landscape from fully maximising its potential. These challenges create inefficiencies, preventing businesses and public sector organisations from capitalising on emerging opportunities.
With deep expertise in legacy system modernisation, internationally certified cybersecurity specialists, and over 1,000 AI and 1,100 data engineers, FPT delivers comprehensive solutions tailored to today’s complex technology environment. FPT strictly complies with international security standards and holds multiple security certifications, including ISO 27001 - a comprehensive framework for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually enhancing Information Security Management System (ISMS). 
FPT continues to drive digital transformation by collaborating with UK organisations such as GBG to deliver robust banking and financial security solutions. What’s more, FPT empowers Chelsea Football Club to redefine fan engagement to enhance the experience both within the stadium and across digital platforms for supporters around the world. By providing the right strategies, cutting-edge resources, and advanced technologies, FPT empowers UK businesses and institutions to enhance their digital resilience, unlock the value of their data, and accelerate innovation.