What are the best methods for identifying and mitigating risks with vulnerability scanning?

One thing people forget is that if you have a zero trust network then there's no need to scan. Not only can you not trust the scanner trying to interact with all your systems, the zero trust network will actually block all those interactions by default. Since there will be no unauthorized and unauthenticated interactions at all under zero trust, that means there are no possible vulnerabilities unless you're a Capricorn and your moon is in Gemini.

Careful planning is fundamental when undertaking vulnerability scans for risk identification and mitigation. Begin by outlining clear objectives, defining the scope, and specifying assets to be assessed. Prioritize critical systems and sensitive data to allocate resources effectively. Establish a regular scanning schedule to ensure continuous monitoring and adjust parameters based on risk tolerance. Collaboration with IT and security teams provides insights into system configurations. Regular review and updates of scanning policies ensure adaptability to emerging threats, fostering a proactive approach to risk management.

Wouldn’t it be better to have continuous scanning, and not worry about having to schedule, or worry about when was the last scan completed? The primary reason most people have to schedule their scans is that the platform they are using is resource intensive and has to be scheduled after hours or on weekends. Find a platform that is lightweight, runs continuously, and doesn’t cause disruption. Clearly important to have goals and scope, but first and foremost you should be able to identify ALL assets on a network (including IOT) and be able to know on a daily basis if any of them need patching, remediation or some combination.

A successful vulnerability scan requires careful planning. Define your goals, what you're scanning, and when. Make sure everyone involved knows their roles and approves the plan. Consider how the scan might affect the system and choose the right time to scan. By approaching vulnerability scanning with a well-thought-out strategy, you enhance its effectiveness and minimize potential disruptions.

Yes, and yes. Careful planning of scans includes frequency and scope. -Frequency Scans should be scheduled, continuous and span across all systems, networks and applications. -Scope Plan out the scans to cover all your information system assets such as servers, endpoints, IoT devices and cloud infrastructure (if applicable).

Don't confuse the tool with the process. Vuln scanning, pen testing, etc., are just tools and it's ok to have a good toolbox (got a nice Estwing hammer for Christmas), but a good vulnerability remediation process includes system owners/engineers/experts that all participate in a ballet of aligned activities - some of which more compatible that others (pen testing OT for example). My hammer has a knurled face and is mostly applicable to framing rather than cabinetry - tool selection is critical for good outcomes. And don't forget training and proficiency - gotta know how/when to use a hammer, and then avoid your thumb.

Vulnerability scanners are used to increase security by identifying vulnerabilities associated with a website/application/server. You have to select an appropriate policy and perform the scan, but for the scan to be effective and for better discovery of all vulnerabilities it is recommended that you give administrator credentials so that all the registry files and other important files can be scanned. After vulnerabilities are identified, they need to be assessed so that risks posed by them are dealt with appropriately and in accordance with an organization’s vulnerability management program. Vulnerability management platforms also provide risk ratings and scores for vulnerabilities that help organizations in vulnerability prioritisation.

Defining outcomes is crucial in vulnerability scanning. The term encompasses a wide array of tools, leading to various approaches, from application-level testing to code scanning in pipelines. Understand the purpose of your scans, and explore ways to shift left, identifying most issues pre-deployment or at least pre-production. This proactive approach enhances the efficiency of vulnerability management and ensures early detection and resolution of potential issues.

I think here, it's less important the brand of scanner and more so when and how you are scanning. In order to avoid interrupting business functions, schedule scans overnight as large networks can take some time and cause congestion on the network.

Selecting appropriate tools and settings is crucial for effective vulnerability scans. Choose tools that align with organizational needs, considering system types and potential vulnerabilities. Tailor scan settings based on risk profiles and compliance requirements, ensuring depth and accuracy. Regularly update and fine-tune tools to adapt to evolving threats, facilitating precise and relevant vulnerability assessments for robust risk mitigation.

Validation is critical to prioritizing, but even more important is some deeper testing, especially in environments with a high number of vulnerabilities, or those struggling to address them all. Many vulnerabilities are classified with pretty broad impact. Working with your pentesters or attack surface teams you can actually test findings to see just how "real" they are. You may find that many critical/high vulnerabilities are not really impacting your environment. This allows you to deprioritize them and focus on remediating the ones that are creating more risk. This optimizes your teams time and helps move the needle on risk management more.

Not all assets are equal, so neither should your scan results. Develop a clear list of priorities, such as assets that handle sensitive data and are externally accessible. If you’re just getting started in an organization this can really overwhelming. Tackle the problem in a phased approach and let your strategy lead you to incremental success, not brute force.

One thing I found is that standalone scanning will help identify problems but does little to prioritize or fix the findings. No matter which approach you take to security risk management, not every detected vulnerability poses the same level of risk. Prioritize vulnerabilities using a risk-based, context-aware process, focusing your limited resources on the issues that matter the most.

Validating and prioritizing vulnerability scan results is a crucial step in effective risk management. Once the scan is complete, carefully validate identified vulnerabilities to eliminate false positives. Prioritize the remaining vulnerabilities based on severity, potential impact, and the organization's risk tolerance. Assign resources to address high-priority vulnerabilities promptly, focusing on those that pose the greatest threat to the security posture. Regular validation and prioritization ensure that limited resources are allocated efficiently, addressing the most critical security concerns and enhancing overall resilience against potential threats.

Totally agree on prioritization, all vulnerabilities are not created equally, nor have the same impact. Use a scanning tool that scores each individual devices into critical, high, medium and low priorities, and work on them accordingly. Make sure you understand the overall risk score and how that is impacted by the types of vulnerabilities you find.

Vulnerability scanning is an ongoing process vital for cybersecurity. Adhering to best practices, aligning with risk management, and updating plans regularly ensures effectiveness. Embrace technological advancements, integrate with incident response, and foster collaboration for a robust and adaptive approach. Detailed documentation and continuous training contribute to a culture of shared responsibility, enhancing overall security.

Even if you don’t have a specific framework or compliance requirement to follow, you should definitely take a look at the CIS controls as well as the NIST suggestions. There is a fair amount of overlap, but worth taking a look at multiple ones if you have the time and interest

Employee training of vulnerabilities is important in addition to phishing and spam awareness. Amazing the percentage of cyber incidents that are still caused by human error and laziness. Train everyone how to be more aware and cautious. - Employee training of vulnerabilities is important in addition to phishing and spam awareness. Amazing the percentage of cyber incidents that are still caused by human error and laziness. Train everyone how to be more aware and cautious. Leveraging a platform that is easy to use and understand your vulnerability landscape enables your staff to be more aware and on top of the information as it comes in real time. Having continuous scanning allows that to happen.

It is important to educate as much of the organization as possible. It is possible to send an email that most will ignore and say you trained everyone. In reality, it's better to build security awareness into the culture and from day one of new hires. This way, all staff are properly educated throughout their entire time at the organization, and when sending company emails or having a seminar on vulnerability scanning, everyone is aware of the importance and is able to understand the topic

Your vulnerability scanning program will be vastly improved by involving others. There's two levels, internal and external communication. Externally: share new discoveries with the various Vulnerabilities databases such as CISA and NVD. Internally: work with departments to understand their processes and each asset's functions. Inform helpful staff members about findings and how they can support the process. Educating people on the value of the process and allowing them to contribute, will help the process as a whole be much more effective

Vulnerability management doesn’t need to be complicated. Consider your options, but do start. This is a critical element of cyber hygiene and really provides the best proactive approach to cyber security and risk reduction. Please connect to me if you’d like to discuss more, and talk a little more specifics about the product I’m referencing above without directly referencing it.

While automated tools are efficient for scanning known vulnerabilities, manual testing allows for a deeper analysis, uncovering nuanced or context-specific issues that automated tools may overlook. Combining both approaches ensures a more thorough and accurate assessment of the security posture. Moreover, fostering collaboration between automated scanners and skilled security professionals enhances the overall effectiveness of the vulnerability scanning process, offering a holistic view that addresses both common vulnerabilities and unique, complex security challenges.

Consider leveraging automated tools. This can help with recurring scans and integration with Security Information and Event Management (SIEM). Add incident response plan with steps to address vulnerabilities once discovered via the scans. As a Risk Management Framework Subject Matter Expect, this would not be complete without Continuous Improvement and Monitoring. Evaluate and refine all vulnerability scans for feedback, threat identification, and to make sure they meet business needs.