Every modern business needs Vulnerability Management Services (VMS). This process identifies, evaluates, reports on, and remediates the weaknesses in your business systems, software, and data to enable you to protect your data and your business.
Before going into the details, let’s start with the threats that make VMS an important aspect of your IT operations.
Threats
Many weak points in your network could threaten the safety of your business and data. Some of these important weaknesses that could be entry points for attacks are:
- The proliferation of web-connected devices like mobiles, laptops, even CCTV cameras, etc.
- Reliance on digital means for remitting money
- Online business transactions
- Increased use of cloud-based storage options
- The wide use of wi-fi hotspots
- Local area networks in offices and community neighborhoods, etc.
An attacker exploiting the risks related to these points could gain access to your compromised system, potentially enabling them to destroy data or commandeer your network for malicious purposes.
Usually, your network is subject to these following threats:
- Phishing
- Spear Phishing
- Viruses
- Trojan horses
- Worms
- Bots
- Spyware
- Adware
- Malware
- Ransomware
- Crimeware
- Scareware
- Spam email
- Hackers and predators
- Man in the middle attacks
- Data breaches
- Denial of service attack
- Identify theft
- Attack on IoT devices
- Rootkits
- Zombies
- Sabotage
- Social media attacks
- Information theft etc.
Benefits of Vulnerability Management Services
Now that we’ve pointed out the existing threats to your systems, you should be able to better understand the advantages of deploying a vulnerability management service. Here are some of the key benefits:
- It keeps your business data secure from attacks and threats by ensuring that only authorized access is allowed.
- It will save you money and resources that you would otherwise have to spend after the data has been stolen. Sometimes, the losses could total millions of dollars. Prevention is always better than treatment.
- It will uncover the problem areas and your system’s limitations beforehand. The VMS will allow you to tie up the loose ends and ensure the safety of your precious business data.
- You will also save a lot of time by having automated, scheduled checks and proper management of your system’s vulnerabilities in place. In contrast, imagine spending hundreds of hours fixing a problem or mitigating the multifaceted consequences in the aftermath of an attack. It is better to act proactively and nip the evil in the bud.
Phases of Vulnerability Management Service
It is imperative that businesses follow and implement these aspects of vulnerability management services:
Configuration & Control Tasks
This protocol system defines in certain terms who among the management is authorized to access and use a system. Configuration control tasks define the parameters for change within a system. This step is a major component of vulnerability management. Its absence or lack of clarity may result in intrusion, intervention, and invasion.
Assess and Value
Here, the company determines the current system’s level of security, the staff’s competence and handling capacity, and the assets management program. The report, which describes the current state of these areas, must highlight where the company lags, what needs to be fixed, and at what value.
Remediation
Remediation is the continuous and continual monitoring of the system for any faults and malfunctions. It involves knowing the system, looking for the vulnerabilities, and fixing those vulnerabilities by prioritizing aspects that require immediate attention.
Incident Management
Incident management is taking control of a situation when a security breach occurs. It consists of keeping the system running, communicating with relevant stakeholders, and assigning security experts to resolve the matter. If the system shows improvement and does not collapse, you know your incident management is sound.
Scanning Agent Management
An agent-based scanning application is deployed to strategically located network workstations, which then scans the system to look for any bug or trouble. You can also remotely observe and monitor the scanning process as well.
Scanning Agent Maintenance
In this process, the debugging happens once the problem has been identified.
External Scan
An external scan is conducted outside the network to detect the system’s vulnerabilities and deficiencies. It checks open ports, protocols, and targeted IP addresses. It also considers compliance to various standards.
Internal Scan
In contrast to an external scan, the internal scan identifies the system’s vulnerabilities and conformity to standards from inside the network. While performing an internal scan, patch management is also taking place.
Full IT Support
At NST, we provide comprehensive vulnerability management services, protecting you from ever-evolving cyber threats. We perform all the important tasks required in vulnerability management to guarantee and ensure your system’s safety. To learn more, contact our team of professionals for expert advice and assistance.