ThreatAdvice Jul 19, 2022 3:45:12 AM

The importance of vulnerability scanning

Apart from being an important part of business operation, cybersecurity is critical for everyone, whether they work in different departments, work for a small or large company, or are part of a certain industry.

There are many ways managed service providers (MSPs) can create a dialogue with their clients about routine security checks, and one of those is vulnerability scans and their importance. The foundation for the entire vulnerability management process is built on the primary step of vulnerability scanning.

The goal of these security checks is to assess the current state of a client’s network and IT infrastructure, identify any vulnerabilities, and make recommendations for how to correct them and reduce the attack surface. These vulnerability assessment tools are extremely important as they can prevent data breaches that end up becoming a costly and disastrous experience for any company, large or small.

In many situations, malicious actors scan for network vulnerabilities to exploit before taking action. With regular vulnerability scanning, any security weaknesses can be identified early and action taken for improving security posture, reducing risk, securing data, and maintaining network security.

Security and vulnerability scanning

Every organization has numerous components in motion, and as a result, there are many ways for infrastructure and processes to potentially be at risk of losing important data and assets.

Vulnerability scanning is a vital part of a MSP’s security risk management approach for several reasons:

Taking a proactive approach to remove any security holes and protect your systems, data, employees, and customers is possible with vulnerability scanning. Data breaches are frequently caused by unpatched vulnerabilities, so removing those security risks eliminates that vector of attack.
Compliance frameworks are starting to request and require vulnerability scanning, for example, NIST, PCI DSS, and HIPAA.
It is crucial to perform scans and take remedial actions before hackers can exploit any security vulnerabilities since cybercriminals also have access to vulnerability scanning tools.

The procedure for every vulnerability test is to identify any weakness, appraise systems and processes in the environment, reduce risks, and create a prevention plan.

Vulnerability scanning and compliance

The standards and regulations that govern how companies and government organizations keep data secure, private, and free from breaches or damage are referred to as data use compliance. Non-compliance with data privacy regulations can lead to legal action, severe financial losses, and a potential shut down of the business.

To ensure compliance, businesses must proactively take action to prevent data breaches and unauthorized access to sensitive information. Vulnerability scanning is one such part of the security controls that should be in place to ensure there are no gaps in an organization’s security posture that could be exploited by cybercriminals.

How does a vulnerability scan work?

Vulnerability scanners are usually automated software programs that probe a network looking for potential areas of weakness, and can be run internally or by a third-party vendor. Scanners are used to test the security of a company’s network and to look for signs of a breach, such as unsecured remote access points. They are often used as the first line of defense against cyber threats, but their main purpose is to highlight vulnerabilities so that they can be fixed before a breach can occur.

Vulnerability scanners are often used in tandem with other cyber security tools to form an integrated security system, sending alerts if a new device or vulnerability is detected on the system.

Vulnerability scanning for MSPs

For a managed service provider, vulnerability scanning can be used as an additional service offering to your clients, allowing you to monitor and secure their network, troubleshoot any issues, and advise on best practices for a strong security posture. Vulnerability scanning also gives an MSP greater visibility into the security posture of a client’s network, allowing you to monitor and track changes in configuration across the network to identify any unauthorized changes that might indicate an attempted breach.

MSPs can achieve better customer retention, and offer better services, by assessing the risk level of each client, implementing security recommendations, securing remote access, or upgrading to more robust security systems.