How can you find network vulnerability scanners that offer real-time monitoring and alerts?

1 Identify Needs

Before diving into the vast sea of network vulnerability scanners, pinpoint your specific requirements. Consider the size and complexity of your network, the type of data you handle, and your regulatory compliance obligations. Real-time monitoring is a feature that continuously scans your network and alerts you the moment a potential vulnerability is detected. This capability is crucial for immediate response to threats, minimizing the window of opportunity for attackers. Ensure that your chosen scanner can be configured to prioritize alerts based on severity, so you can address the most critical issues promptly.

2 Research Tools

Once you've established your needs, research the different network vulnerability scanners available. Look for solutions that offer comprehensive scanning capabilities, including the detection of common vulnerabilities and exposures (CVEs), misconfigurations, and outdated software. Real-time monitoring should be complemented with timely and actionable alerts that provide clear information on the nature of the vulnerability and suggested remediation steps. Scanners should also be able to integrate with your existing security infrastructure for streamlined incident response.

3 Evaluate Features

When evaluating network vulnerability scanners, scrutinize their feature sets. Real-time monitoring is a complex process that requires the scanner to be always on, analyzing network traffic and system behavior for anomalies. The alerting mechanism should be sophisticated enough to differentiate between false positives and genuine threats, sending notifications through multiple channels like email, SMS, or even directly into your security information and event management (SIEM) system. Some scanners offer customizable dashboards that provide an at-a-glance view of your network's security posture.

5 Consider Usability

The usability of a network vulnerability scanner is as important as its technical capabilities. A tool that's difficult to navigate or configure can lead to missed vulnerabilities or delayed responses. Look for scanners with intuitive interfaces that make it easy to set up scans, configure alerts, and understand reports. The ability to customize the level of detail in alerts, and to filter them based on specific criteria, can greatly enhance the efficiency of your security team.

6 Integration Capacity

Lastly, consider how well a network vulnerability scanner can integrate with other security tools you may have in place. Integration can enhance the functionality of real-time monitoring by correlating data from various sources to identify complex threats. Seamless integration with patch management systems, firewalls, intrusion detection systems (IDS), and intrusion prevention systems (IPS) is particularly valuable. This ensures that alerts from the scanner can trigger appropriate automated responses, such as blocking malicious traffic or isolating affected systems.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?