Sure there is, it's called 'job security'. It involves being the only person who understands how to run 40-year-old software.

Unfortunately (fortunately?) I don't think that in 37 years, I'll be seeing a lot of systems that were installed in the 00's - the mentality these days is more about interconnection and interoperability than it was in the 70's.

That said, I'm a systems administrator, not a programmer. There'll still be servers in 30 years, they'll just probably glow blue and float around the data centre unbounded by gravity, or something equally crazy.

If you're the only person understanding a system, it's a great risk for the company. They will eventually replace the old system and then you're worthless to them.

If you are one of the few people that understands the old system, you can easily be one of the people that set's up the new system, at which point your one of the few people that knows the new system. The secret is to get on board to projects trying to replace your system, and not become so over paid that they really want to replace you.

Work for the government or government contractor. Closest thing to a guaranteed job you'll find. Ability to get a clearance will make that 100% security.

> Work for the government or government contractor. Closest thing to a guaranteed job you'll find.

I think that's a thing of the past, as plenty of people have found out in the last two years.

Not for the federal government or DoD.