There are a lot of factors to consider when it comes to running a business. One of the most important things to focus on is ensuring your network and computing infrastructure is as secure as possible.
No business or organization is immune to cyber-attacks. In order to protect your organization, it’s important to conduct regular network vulnerability assessments.
What is a Network Vulnerability Assessment?
A network vulnerability assessment reviews and analyzes your organization’s network infrastructure to find potential vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, and network security loopholes. A comprehensive vulnerability assessment identifies, prioritizes, and assigns severity levels to the identified vulnerability and then recommends whether to mitigate or remediate them.
A network vulnerability assessment can be carried out manually or using vulnerability analysis software. While there are different types of network vulnerability assessments, using the right software and an experienced analyst delivers more accurate results that are relevant to your environment.
What Are Some Common Vulnerabilities Found During an Assessment?
Network vulnerabilities are cybersecurity weaknesses or flaws within a system’s software, hardware, or organizational processes. Network vulnerabilities can come in many different forms.
Here are some of the most common forms of vulnerability:
- Outdated or Unpatched Software: Outdated or unpatched software can expose the system running the applications and potentially the entire network.
- Misconfigured network equipment/operating systems: Default settings are often not secure and easy to exploit by an attacker.
- Unknown Devices: Some organizations have no idea about the number of devices attached to their network. A vulnerability assessment will identify these devices and determine if they represent a threat to your organization.
When companies and organizations fail to implement adequate network security measures, they become susceptible to devastating cyberattacks that have the potential to bring down their network, business activities, and damage their reputation. This could have long lasting effects on the company or organization itself.
Why Are Network Vulnerability Assessments Important?
Cyber security is an ongoing process. A vulnerability assessment helps keep your security up-to-date against the latest threats.
There are various benefits associated with performing vulnerability assessments, especially considering the rise in cyber-attacks in the past few years. Only by facilitating the discovery, scanning, validation and documentation of risks and vulnerabilities can a business realize the total value the vulnerability assessment process can provide.
How Frequently Should You Perform a Network Vulnerability Assessment?
Ultimately, a network vulnerability assessment will help update and shape your security policy and leave your business better protected against data breaches and attacks. While a network vulnerability assessment is good, it is best to have an ongoing network vulnerability management program.
Unlike a one-time network vulnerability assessment, a vulnerability management program is a continuous measure that works to manage cybersecurity vulnerabilities in the long run.
You can help reduce your risk of a data breach, data loss, or other cyber-attack by fixing these vulnerabilities.
How Can We Help?
Our team of security experts will work with you to develop a customized plan that fits your specific needs.
Contact us to see how we can help secure and protect your network and computers.
