Network vulnerability scans are the linchpin for maintaining a secure and robust infrastructure. In today’s increasingly complex and hostile digital landscape, it’s essential to identify weaknesses before they become a liability. While there are numerous tools and services available for this purpose, powered by various scanning engines including Qualys®, the key to effective vulnerability management lies in how you approach the scanning process. Here are some tips to get the most out of your network vulnerability scans and make efficient use of the resulting scan reports.
Performing a Comprehensive Scan
Ensure All Hosts are Scanned
Make sure you’re covering all the bases by scanning each host in your network. An omission could become a potential blind spot. However, if you have hosts that are 100% mirrors of each other, you can optimize by scanning just one. This applies to redundant web servers or systems provisioned through automation to be identical.
Don’t Overlook Network Devices
Firewalls, routers, and load balancers are often overlooked, yet they are critical components that could be vulnerable to exploits. These devices generally allow for network-based administrative access, making them vital candidates for a scan.
Container Scans
When it comes to containers, it’s often easiest to treat them as you would regular hosts. Containers can often have unique vulnerabilities, so they shouldn’t be left out.
Cloud Provider Deployments
If you’re operating in a cloud environment like AWS, GCP, or Azure, you’re in luck. Nearly all of these providers allow for customer-initiated scans without requiring prior approval. You can employ one of three approaches:
- Scan publicly-accessible machines from the outside.
- Scan public IP addresses while granting full port access to Qualys scanners via firewall settings.
- Route Qualys scanners to your internal networks (VPCs) to scan internal hosts.
One of Our Unique Features
We employ a modern connection method that lets us scan internal assets from an external location. Through a secure, end-to-end encrypted connection via a Software Defined Network (SDN), we can assess your internal hosts without the need for onsite devices or risky VPNs, greatly reducing the cost of internal scans and improving security. Watch for more info on this in an upcoming post, or let’s talk about it now.
Timing is Everything
Choose a scan time that fits your schedule. If you wish to monitor the scan, conduct it during your business hours. Rest assured that state-of-the-art scanners like those from Qualys are designed to be non-intrusive, but feel free to otherwise schedule scans during your least-critical times for even more peace of mind.
Maximizing the Value of Scan Reports
Ask Questions
When you get your report, make sure you understand each vulnerability in the context of your own environment. At ScanMy.Cloud, we offer free and unlimited support to help you navigate your vulnerabilities and risks.
Prioritize and Tackle in Chunks
It’s easy to be overwhelmed by the sheer number of issues that could be flagged. Prioritize vulnerabilities based on risk levels and business impact. Address them in manageable chunks, tracking your progress over time.
Customize Your Reports
If you encounter issues that can’t be immediately fixed due to constraints (like a vendor’s legacy product), or are verified to be low-risk (such as self-signed certificates on transient development hosts), toss them into the ignored pile and focus on what’s most critical. We’ll keep track of them and remind you in the future.
Concluding Thoughts
Optimizing your network vulnerability scans is not just about choosing the right tool, but also about employing the right strategies. At ScanMy.Cloud, our experts have been providing this service for over 15 years. We’re here to guide you through these and more optimizations to ensure that you’re getting the most comprehensive, actionable insights to secure your network. Contact us today to schedule a scan or learn more.