How do you align your vulnerability scanning strategy with your risk management framework?

Before you even define the scope of any scans, asset discovery is the first step. Ask yourself how much visibility you have of your entire estate - not just from the perimeter inwards, but from an outside-in view too. I.e., are you aware of all interconnected assets spanning IT, OT, IoT? Not just those within your organisational perimeter, but also cloud-distrubuted assets and any that connect to your estate up and down your supply chain too? Most companies don't have full visibility. You can't effectively plan to secure what you don't know about.

Ensure vulnerability scans cover all critical assets identified in the risk management framework. Focus on high-risk assets and vulnerabilities that could significantly impact the organization. Regularly scan critical assets (e.g., monthly or quarterly). Conduct more frequent scans for high-risk environments. Classify vulnerabilities based on severity (e.g., CVSS) and their potential impact on critical assets. Evaluate the potential impact and likelihood of each vulnerability being exploited.

As a cybersecurity professional, I've found that defining the scope and objectives of vulnerability scanning is crucial for its effectiveness within the risk management framework. For instance, in a recent project aimed at assessing the security posture of a client's network infrastructure, we meticulously outlined the scope to include all critical assets, systems, and networks, ensuring comprehensive coverage. Additionally, by aligning our objectives with the client's risk tolerance and compliance requirements, we were able to prioritize our scanning efforts and focus on mitigating the most impactful vulnerabilities. This strategic approach not only streamlined the scanning process but also facilitated informed decision-making!

In my opinion and experience, prior to scope and objectives, I will think it is important to learn and know your operating environment first. An OT environment for example is different from cloud. Likewise a financial environment different from transportation. What matters to you? Once you understand this, scope, objectives comes along. Then what your assets are, how you like to plant your scans, frequency, policies (your rules) will come in place. Lots of people don’t truly understand their operating environment. They go straight into rules. That’s wrong.

When defining scope and objectives, you should consider how much scanning is possible and whether a risk-based approach could be adopted when you lack the resources or time to complete the scan. For example, when there are thousands of devices deployed with identical hardened images, can we scan a sample of 10%? In the situation where the scanning is done for the first time and there's many unknown, consider start off with critical systems where risk tolerance is very low.

Suitable scanner tools should be deployed without affecting the operations. For example, in OT/SCADA environment, passive network mapping is conducted instead of sending signals for network discoveries. In certain environments that have limited network bandwidth, the tool must be capable of slowing down when network congestion is detected. For application code security scanning (SAST), try to evaluate the product that you plan to use, to avoid too much false positives that will take you time from focusing on the actionable findings.

In my experience, executing vulnerability scans and meticulously analyzing the results are pivotal steps in aligning scanning strategy with the risk management framework. For example, during a recent vulnerability assessment, we rigorously followed a predefined scanning procedure, meticulously configuring and launching scans across the client's network infrastructure. We meticulously analyzed the results, validating their accuracy and relevance by eliminating false positives and duplicates. Moreover, by prioritizing vulnerabilities based on their severity and potential impact on the organization's risk posture, we were able to provide actionable insights that enabled the client to make informed decisions regarding risk mitigation strategies

Continuously reviewing and enhancing the vulnerability scanning strategy is essential for maintaining alignment with the risk management framework and ensuring its efficacy over time. In a recent post-assessment review, we critically evaluated the performance and effectiveness of our scanning tools and methods, identifying areas for improvement. By measuring key metrics such as scan coverage, accuracy, and timeliness, we were able to pinpoint gaps and inefficiencies in our scanning strategy. Subsequently, we implemented enhancements such as fine-tuning scan parameters and integrating additional scanning techniques to enhance detection capabilities.

In addition to the key sections outlined, it's imperative to consider the importance of ongoing education and collaboration in optimizing vulnerability scanning within the risk management framework. Engaging in continuous learning opportunities such as workshops, conferences, and peer-to-peer knowledge sharing sessions can provide valuable insights into emerging threats and evolving best practices. Furthermore, fostering collaboration between security teams, risk management professionals, and other stakeholders can facilitate a holistic approach to vulnerability management, enabling organizations to proactively address security risks and safeguard their digital assets effectively.