In their 2023 State of Cyber Assets Report, JupiterOne, an attack surface management platform, reported that the number of digital assets organizations have to keep track of increased by 133% in 2023, and the number of security vulnerabilities they have to protect against has grown even more precipitously, with a massive rise of 589%.
“The report also highlighted the challenges that security teams are facing, showing that, on average, a security team is responsible for 393,419 assets and attributes, 830,639 potential security risks, and 55,473 policies. This has led to security fatigue and staffing shortages in many organizations.”
Simply put, digital threats are growing in scale and sophistication at an alarming rate. When the question is not ‘if’ but ‘when’ an organization will be targeted by a cyberattack, it is a mission critical task to implement strong and effective countermeasures to safeguard valuable data and maintain trust with clients. And one of the first lines of defense is a comprehensive vulnerability scan.
What is Vulnerability Scanning?
Vulnerability scanning is an automated process used to identify weak spots in a system that could be exploited by cybercriminals. It’s like performing a health check-up for an IT environment to discover any conditions that could potentially leave it susceptible to harm. By regularly conducting these scans, organizations can ensure they remain one step ahead of cybercriminals, patching identified vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.
There are several types of vulnerability scans, each tailored to suit different areas of an organization’s IT environment:
- Network-based Scans: Detect vulnerabilities in networks like unprotected open ports or outdated network software.
- Host-based Scans: Focus on individual systems, such as servers or workstations, looking for issues like missing updates or patches.
- Wireless Scans: Target Wi-Fi networks, assessing the security of wireless protocols.
- Application scans: Uncover vulnerabilities in web applications.
- Database Scans: Look for weaknesses in databases, such as insecure data transmissions or improper configurations.
It should be noted that vulnerability scanning is often confused with penetration testing. While they both aim to uncover vulnerabilities, they differ significantly in approach and depth. Vulnerability scanning is an automated, broad-level examination of systems. On the other hand, penetration testing is a more targeted, in-depth, and manual process, where ethical hackers try to exploit identified vulnerabilities to understand their potential impact better.
What Vulnerabilities are Scanned for?
- Software Vulnerabilities: One of the most common sources of vulnerabilities lies in outdated software or missing patches. Developers regularly update their software to patch up known security holes, but if these updates aren’t applied in a timely manner, they can provide a ready avenue for cyberattacks.
- Configuration Issues: Sometimes, vulnerabilities aren’t a result of software flaws but arise from how the software or systems have been configured. Examples of configuration vulnerabilities include using default passwords, running unnecessary services, or having improper permissions set.
- Security Vulnerabilities: These are potential weaknesses in security measures that are supposed to protect systems and data. Examples could include data being transmitted unencrypted over a network, ports left open unnecessarily, or weak authentication procedures.
- End-of-life or Unsupported Software: If an organization is still using software that the developer no longer supports or updates, it is opening itself up to a significant security risk. Unsupported software no longer receives patches to fix security vulnerabilities, making it a prime target for cybercriminals.
- Zero-day Vulnerabilities: These are unknown vulnerabilities in software or hardware that the manufacturer or developer is unaware of. Zero-day vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous because they can be exploited by attackers before they’re discovered and patched by the manufacturer.
- Human Factors: Despite advancements in technology, humans remain one of the largest vulnerability sources for IT environments. This includes behaviors such as weak password usage, falling for phishing attempts, or misuse of access privileges.
Vulnerability Management
Vulnerability scanning is a crucial element of a broader strategy known as vulnerability management. While scanning identifies potential security weaknesses, vulnerability management encompasses the proactive approach to identifying, classifying, remediating, and mitigating these vulnerabilities.
Here are the four key components of vulnerability management:
- Identification: This first step involves discovering potential vulnerabilities within an organization’s systems, networks, and applications. The primary tool used for this purpose is a vulnerability scanner, which automatically checks the IT environment for known issues.
- Evaluation: Once vulnerabilities have been identified, the next step is to evaluate them based on their severity and the potential damage they could cause if exploited. Vulnerabilities are typically classified as low, medium, or high risk, and some systems may also include an informational or negligible risk category.
- Treatment: After evaluating its vulnerabilities, an organization must decide how to address them. This could involve patching the vulnerability, implementing a workaround, accepting the risk (if it is low and unlikely to be exploited), or even removing the vulnerable system if it is no longer necessary.
- Reporting: The final stage in the vulnerability management process involves documenting the identified vulnerabilities, the actions taken to address them, and any remaining risks. This information is crucial for audit purposes and for informing ongoing security strategies.
Is Vulnerability Scanning Included in Managed IT Security Services?
The specifics of what is included in a managed IT security service package can vary significantly. However, it is common for managed IT security services to include some form of vulnerability assessment or scanning. This is because identifying and addressing vulnerabilities is a key part of maintaining the security of an IT environment. Therefore, even if a basic managed IT security service package does not include thorough vulnerability scanning, there’s likely some level of vulnerability assessment involved.
Of course, vulnerability scanning is just one piece of the puzzle. Other important aspects of IT security services can include 24/7 monitoring, incident response, firewall management, intrusion detection and prevention systems, threat hunting, patch management, employee security training, disaster recovery planning, and more.
The Need for Regular Vulnerability Scanning on Servers
Servers are the lifeblood of any organization’s IT infrastructure. They host essential applications, store and manage valuable data, and provide the backbone for most business operations. As such, they present an enticing target for cybercriminals and require specialized protections.
Regular vulnerability scanning of servers ties into a security framework by:
- Uncovering Vulnerabilities: Software updates, configuration changes, or even new, previously unknown vulnerabilities (zero-days) can create fresh security gaps. By regularly scanning servers, organizations can identify and patch these vulnerabilities.
- Maintaining Compliance: For organizations subject to regulatory requirements such as HIPAA or GDPR, regular vulnerability scanning is often a stipulated necessity. Compliance with these regulations requires demonstrating that adequate security measures, including regular vulnerability scanning, are in place to protect sensitive data.
- Informing Security Measures: Regular scanning not only helps uncover vulnerabilities but also provides valuable information to aid in shaping the organization’s overall security strategy. The data generated from these scans can highlight patterns, reveal weaknesses in particular areas, and guide resource allocation for security measures.
- Minimizing the Attack Surface: Every vulnerability on a server is a potential entry point for cybercriminals. Regular vulnerability scanning ensures these entry points are minimized, thereby shrinking the attack surface that cybercriminals can exploit.
Securing Your Digital Future
In an age where data is one of the most valuable commodities, securing it is not just a matter of good business; it’s a matter of survival. Cyber threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and the aftermath of a successful cyberattack can be catastrophic for an organization.
Yet, while the risks of cyberattacks are real and significant, they are not insurmountable. With conscientious vulnerability scanning practices, an effective vulnerability management program, and the support of a trusted security partner, organizations can confidently navigate the digital landscape, secure in the knowledge that their data and systems are well-protected.
Razor Technology is your trusted IT managed service provider. Save time and money on your IT, cloud, and cybersecurity services by calling Razor Tech today.