Cybercriminals are known for their relentlessness and ability to exploit hidden vulnerabilities and misconfiguration errors across a firm’s applications, endpoints, servers, and networks. Vulnerabilities can be one of the biggest threats to a firm’s network; that’s why it’s crucial for organizations to scan their systems for vulnerabilities on a recurring basis.
It’s apparent that many CIOs and CTOs of large enterprises and promising start-ups hold common misconceptions surrounding vulnerability scanning. One being that the term is often confused with penetration testing, which is a simulated cyber-attack against a system or device to check for exploitable vulnerabilities. Vulnerability scanning is different in that it is the process of identifying and assessing security weaknesses in an organization’s digital infrastructure.
In this blog, we will discuss the importance of conducting vulnerability scans on an ongoing basis, address the most common misconceptions regarding vulnerability scanning, as well as guidance for organizations looking to develop a robust cybersecurity program.
The Importance of Vulnerability Scanning
Besides the obvious reasons to implement vulnerability scanning, like being breached, there are many others, including:
- Identifying potential vulnerabilities that can be easily exploited by hackers
- Taking appropriate steps to remediate identified vulnerabilities
- Helping organizations comply with industry and regulatory standards
- Improving your organization’s overall security posture
- Reducing the risk of being exploited as a result of a data breach
Common Misconceptions of Vulnerability Scans
#1) Vulnerability scanning tests are pass/fail
Vulnerability scan tests aren’t a simple pass/failure. Passing a vulnerability scan doesn’t indicate that one’s digital ecosystem is free of misconfigurations or that any potential vulnerabilities have already been mitigated. For example, let’s say your firm is developing a new supplemental mobile application and it “passed” its vulnerability test. What this really indicates is that a scan was performed, results were analyzed, and then the security manager makes a judgement to determine whether the application is adequately secure.
#2) Vulnerability Scans Are Just the Bearer of Bad News
Security managers may sometime feel that that vulnerability scans make them look bad at their job. However, this isn’t the case; by taking safety measures, you’re doing everything right. Vulnerabilities are actually good news, because now that you and your team are aware of vulnerabilities, they can be mitigated – reducing your overall risk profile.
#3) One Vulnerability Scan is Enough
If there is one takeaway, it’s that your security team or chosen IT vendor should conduct recurring vulnerability scans multiple times throughout the year, preferably each month. One single scan fails to paint the full picture in terms of risk, instead, they should be conducted on a regular on-going basis to ensure that your environment is adequately protected. The landscape of cybersecurity is ever-changing; thus, vulnerability scanning is an essential part of any organization’s security integrity.
How AgileBlue Can Help
Depending on the provider you choose, vulnerability scans can cost upwards of $200 per scan. With AgileBlue’s all-in-one platform, vulnerability scanning is included as an additional layer of your tech stack and scans are set at the frequency of your choice. Whether scans are performed on a weekly, monthly, or quarterly basis, your monthly payment remains fixed. With the perfect mix of people, and technology, we provide our clients with a SOC|XDR platform that is intuitive and adaptable. We obsess over our client’s cybersecurity 24/7, so you can sleep at night.
