What is a Vulnerability Scan?

vulnerability scan

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Contact MC Services by February 29, 2024 to schedule a FREE vulnerability scan ($2000 value).

A vulnerability scan is a process of identifying and assessing potential vulnerabilities in computer systems, networks, and applications. The purpose of a vulnerability scan is to proactively discover weaknesses in the security posture of an IT environment before malicious actors can exploit them.

Unlike a Pen test, Vulnerability scans examine the inside of your network. Vulnerability scans help organizations identify and assess potential risks associated with security vulnerabilities in their systems. This enables them to prioritize and mitigate the most critical vulnerabilities, reducing the overall risk of a security breach.

Vulnerability scans highlight missing patches and outdated software versions. This information is valuable for organizations to ensure that systems are up-to-date with the latest security patches, reducing the likelihood of exploitation through known vulnerabilities.

During a vulnerability scan, specialized tools are used to systematically examine the target system for known vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, and security issues. These tools may analyze network devices, servers, operating systems, databases, and applications to identify areas where security measures may be lacking.

Key aspects of a vulnerability scan include

Identification of Vulnerabilities:
The scan aims to identify vulnerabilities in software, hardware, or configurations that could be exploited by attackers.

Risk Assessment:
Vulnerabilities are often assigned a risk level based on factors such as the potential impact of exploitation and the likelihood of it occurring.

Prioritization:
The results rank vulnerabilities in four levels:

  • Critical
  • High
  • Medium
  • Low

This allows IT to target the most critical risk elements first.

Remediation:
The Vulnerability Scan Report gives remediation actions for all the vulnerabilities. It’s important to note that vulnerability scanning is just one part of a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy. Organizations often complement vulnerability scans with other security measures, such as penetration testing, to further assess and strengthen their overall security posture. Regular vulnerability scanning is considered good practice to maintain a proactive and robust cybersecurity defense. Cyber threats are dynamic, and new vulnerabilities may emerge over time. Regular vulnerability scanning allows organizations to maintain continuous monitoring of their IT infrastructure and promptly address new security issues as they arise.

MC Services recommends quarterly vulnerability scans to keep you infrastructure secure. Be sure to contact us for more information or to schedule your vulnerability scan.