Vulnerability Scanner: The complete picture

Any system connected to a network is open to vulnerabilities in the eyes of hackers. According to SecPod’s security research, in the year 2022 over 26,288 vulnerabilities were discovered. The surge in number is threatening  increasing the overall risk exposure paving way for more cyber attacks. Undoubtedly, keeping these vulnerabilities unattended can lead to massive cyberattacks that can put an organization’s reputation and finances at stake.

The only way to get a hold on these vulnerabilities is to implement a robust vulnerability management program, which starts with an efficient vulnerabilities scanner detecting all the vulnerable loopholes in the network.

Vulnerability scanner is a tool that helps you in detecting weaknesses that are present in your assets. It is the primary step of a vulnerability management program. Vulnerability scanners generally scan through your IT infrastructure and list down the vulnerabilities that have been discovered.

There are different vulnerability scanners, such as network vulnerability scanners, host-based scanners, and application scanners.

The process of detecting vulnerabilities using a vulnerability scanner is known as vulnerability scanning. There are different types of vulnerability scans; let’s understand them in detail.

1. Internal Scans:Most organizations know that threat actors try to exploit risks from outside organizations, but there could also be risks due to internal team. Identifying these vulnerabilities are as crucial as identifying the external threat.There could be a disgruntled employee with user information, malware being executed into systems, or an intruder having access to an internal workstation exploiting vulnerabilities. Therefore, running an internal scan will give a better picture.
2. External scans:It gives the perspective of an outsider. These scans mainly focus on the devices that are connected to the internet. Hackers can intrude a network through firewalls. To avoid these kinds of attacks running external scans are helpful.
3. Authenticated Scans:These scans occur with the help of login credentials to get detailed insights into the organization’s posture.
4. Unauthenticated Scans:It is similar to authenticated scans, but they don’t use login credentials and only scan open services such as open ports.
5. Intrusive Scans: It attempts to exploit vulnerabilities that are already discovered.
6. Non-intrusive scans: This scan highlights the vulnerability’s impact and the security risk it would cause the organization.

While choosing vulnerability scanner, IT/ sysadmins usually look out for user-friendly-ness and its performance. But, what are the factors that can add on has a major points to consider while choosing vulnerability scanner

1. Does it have a database that is updated continuously?
2. Time taken to perform vulnerability scans
3. Automate vulnerability scans
4. Integrated patch management

To know more, read: 5 questions to ask yourself before choosing vulnerability scanner.

Attackers are just finding bolder ways to invade an organization’s IT network. Every organization should have vulnerability scanners that can identify vulnerabilities automatically and continuously.

Amidst the different vulnerability scanners available, always choose scanners that satisfy all your requirements.