Final answer:
Older systems that can only receive critical patches are referred to as legacy systems, and they pose an increased risk due to potential vulnerabilities that are not addressed by limited updates. Vulnerability and risk managers play a key role in mitigating threats to these systems.
Step-by-step explanation:
Older systems that can only receive critical patches are often referred to as being in a legacy state. A vulnerability and risk manager deals with identifying and mitigating security threats to these systems. Since legacy systems may only be able to accommodate updates that address the most serious security issues, they are at an increased risk of becoming compromised if a vulnerability that isn't deemed critical emerges.
Efforts to protect such systems involve carefully balancing the known risks against the potential impact of a security breach. It's a testament to the increasing vulnerability inherent in technological systems that, even with upgraded protection measures, risks still remain. This highlights the importance of vulnerability and risk management in securing information systems and protecting them from potential threats.