Vulnerability scanning is a critical component of cybersecurity threat management, enabling organizations to identify, prioritize and remediate potential security weaknesses in their systems and applications. By continuously scanning for vulnerabilities, security teams can maintain a proactive security posture, reduce the attack surface, and minimize the risk of data breaches and other cyber threats. In this blog we will explore various vulnerability scanning techniques and best practices for effective continuous threat exposure management.
Common Vulnerability Scanning Techniques
- Network Vulnerability Scanning
Network vulnerability scanning involves scanning an organization’s network infrastructure, including servers, workstations, routers, switches and other network devices, to identify potential security weaknesses. Network vulnerability scanners can detect outdated software, unpatched systems, misconfigured devices, and other vulnerabilities that could be exploited by attackers.
- Web Application Scanning
Web application scanning focuses on identifying vulnerabilities in web applications, such as SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), and cross-site request forgery (CSRF). Web application scanners can automatically test web applications for known vulnerabilities and provide recommendations for remediation.
- Wireless Network Scanning
Wireless network scanning involves scanning an organization’s wireless networks to identify rogue access points, unauthorized devices, and other potential security threats. Wireless network scanners can also detect weak encryption protocols, misconfigured settings, and other vulnerabilities that could be exploited by attackers.
- Database Scanning
Database scanning involves scanning databases for potential security weaknesses, such as outdated software, unpatched systems, weak passwords, and misconfigured settings. Database scanners can also identify sensitive data, such as credit card numbers, social security numbers, and other personally identifiable information (PII), and provide recommendations for securing the data.
- Configuration Compliance Scanning
Configuration compliance scanning involves scanning systems and applications for compliance with industry standards, such as PCI DSS, HIPAA, and NIST, as well as internal policies and best practices. Configuration compliance scanners can detect misconfigured settings, outdated software, and other vulnerabilities that could lead to non-compliance and potential security threats.
Best Practices for Continuous Threat Exposure Management
- Schedule Regular Vulnerability Scans
To ensure continuous threat exposure management, organizations should schedule regular vulnerability scans, such as daily, weekly, or monthly scans, depending on the organization’s risk profile and security requirements. - Use Multiple Vulnerability Scanning Techniques
To gain a comprehensive view of potential security threats, organizations should use multiple vulnerability scanning techniques, such as network, web application, wireless network, database, and configuration compliance scanning. - Integrate Vulnerability Scanning into DevOps and CI/CD Pipelines
To ensure that vulnerabilities are identified and remediated early in the development process, organizations should integrate vulnerability scanning into their DevOps and CI/CD pipelines. - Prioritize Vulnerabilities Based on Risk
Enterprises must prioritize vulnerabilities based on severity and asset criticality, as fixing all vulnerabilities is often not feasible. However, bad actors can exploit prioritization patterns, such as ignoring vulnerabilities with a 5 or 6 CVE rating.
To improve prioritization, organizations can also use CyberMindr – an active attack path discovery platform. This SaaS based platform is designed to provide expert opinions on vulnerabilities, their exploitability, and access to sensitive resources, along with CVE ratings. - Implement a Vulnerability Management Program
To ensure that vulnerabilities are remediated in a timely and effective manner, organizations should implement a vulnerability management program, which includes processes for identifying, prioritizing, remediating, and tracking vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
Vulnerability management is a critical component of cybersecurity for every organization, as it can be tailored to fit specific organizational requirements. While it may be tempting to adopt the most comprehensive vulnerability management software or to hire a top managed security services provider, it’s more important to find solutions that align with your business’s data and system security requirements. CyberMindr is a SaaS-based attack path discovery platform that can help organizations identify, prioritize and validate potential security weaknesses in their systems and applications. It can support your unique needs depending on your organization’s size, in-house security expertise, budget, and industry compliance requirements.