Cyber threats are increasing day by day, with more than one hundred thousand strains written every day. Cybercriminals are devising new methods and also taking advantage of the increased amount of data and internet speed to carry out cyber attacks.
According to IBM’s 2018 Cost of Data Breach Study, the average amount of a data breach has reached up to $3.86 million. As compared to the 2017 study, it has increased by 6.4 percent. The Renub Research experts are predicting that the cost of cyber threats will reach $15 billion by 2024. This increasing threat landscape presses the need for vulnerability scans on a regular basis.
Vulnerability scan: Approach and method
A vulnerability scan is a process of identifying the networks and system and taking remedial steps. Furthermore, the information gathered through the scan can be leveraged by IT and security teams to evaluate threat mitigation and improve prevention processes. It is impossible to terminate the threats you can’t see; vulnerability scan finds out the holes in an organisation’s security defenses. Moreover, it provides you with a complete picture of your security and prioritises the risks that require immediate attention. It serves with detailed information, could be available from the BAS tool (Breach and Attack Simulation). As a result, the tool automates the procedure of running simulated attacks to examine the security posture on your system.
Five steps of vulnerability scan
The following five measures will lead to a standard scan to reduce cybersecurity risks. Additionally, it will help you allocate your security resources as efficiently as possible.
- Planning
Planning is a fundamental step. You should determine which systems and networks need evaluation and finds where sensitive data resides and what systems and data are crucial to smooth operations of your organisation. Make sure that each relevant person is involved in the vulnerability scan planning and their expectations regarding the outcomes of the assessment are thoroughly heard. - Scanning
The central step of scanning can be carried out manually or via automated tools. You can use threat intelligence and vulnerability databases to identify security flaws and weaknesses and filter out false positives. - Analysis
Analysing the scan results is the third step, which clears the picture by illustrating the causes of the vulnerabilities, their potential impact and the remedial actions. Further, each vulnerability will be ranked on the affected data, the severity of the flaw, and the damage caused to the affected system. - Remediation
Vulnerability assessment spots potential flaws. The installation of new security tools for the enhancement of security procedures is mandatory. Here, the conclusions drawn in the analysis will assist in prioritising this process. And, it also ensures that the most urgent flaws are handled. Some flaws could have a little impact that they are not worth the cost and time needed for remediation. - Repeat
Vulnerability Scans must go like clockwork. The outturns or reports will provide you with a profound sense of your security posture. However, an additional vulnerability assessment is advisable as per a stipulation, in case of significant changes in your network or systems.
The closing words
A wide range of vulnerability scan services offered by third-party vendors. While choosing a provider, it is critical to take a proactive approach to screen potential vendors. The pro-tip: analyse and sense the depth of their experience and most importantly, make sure their service offerings and level of expertise match your needs. Whether you go for an in-house scanning or hire a third_party vendor, the visibility that a security scan can provide into your security posture, is always invaluable.
