Even the most secure IT system can have vulnerabilities that leave it exposed to cyber attacks. Constantly changing network environments, social engineering schemes, and outdated or unpatched software are all threats that call for routine vulnerability testing.
Vulnerability testing, also called vulnerability assessment or analysis, is a one-time process designed to identify and classify security vulnerabilities in a network. Its purpose is to reduce the possibility of cyber criminals breaching your IT defenses and gaining unauthorized access to sensitive systems and data.
A vulnerability assessment will identify key information assets, determine vulnerabilities that threaten asset security, and offer recommendations to strengthen the organization’s security posture and reduce risk.
An external information security consultant often conducts vulnerability testing using an automated scanning tool designed to detect security weaknesses. The consultant then documents uncovered vulnerabilities in a report and offers recommendations for remediation.
What Is the Difference Between a Vulnerability and a Threat?
The terms “threat” and “vulnerability” may seem similar, but they have distinct differences. Vulnerabilities are weaknesses that occur in systems, which hackers can take advantage of by gaining unauthorized access. Threats are more conceptual; they are things that might happen. Regardless, both drive the need to conduct a vulnerability assessment.
Why Use Vulnerability Testing?
Without vulnerability testing, you don’t know exactly how an intrusion might occur. You can still assume that your organization’s assets are vulnerable somehow — but without understanding specifically how, you can’t implement preventative measures.
For a large business it wouldn’t be unusual to have thousands of cybersecurity vulnerabilities, each one requiring detection and remediation. That alone makes routine vulnerability testing a priority, since without that testing your IT systems are certain to be breached (via one of those thousands of vulnerabilities) eventually.
Performing regular vulnerability assessments let you identify known vulnerabilities, inventory all network assets, define existing security risks, and establish a risk-versus-benefit baseline for security budgeting purposes.
Why Use Vulnerability Testing?
Without vulnerability testing, you don’t know exactly how an intrusion might occur. You can still assume that your organization’s assets are vulnerable somehow — but without understanding specifically how, you can’t implement preventative measures.
For a large business it wouldn’t be unusual to have thousands of cybersecurity vulnerabilities, each one requiring detection and remediation. That alone makes routine vulnerability testing a priority, since without that testing your IT systems are certain to be breached (via one of those thousands of vulnerabilities) eventually.
Performing regular vulnerability assessments let you identify known vulnerabilities, inventory all network assets, define existing security risks, and establish a risk-versus-benefit baseline for security budgeting purposes.
Types of Security Vulnerabilities
Vulnerabilities fall into one of four categories:
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Network vulnerabilities. These are hardware or software issues that expose a network to third-party intrusion by an outside party. Examples include insecure API and Wi-Fi access points and poorly configured firewalls.
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Operating system vulnerabilities. These are vulnerabilities within an operating system, which hackers can exploit to access.
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Human vulnerabilities. Humans are the weakest link in many cybersecurity architectures. Not all vulnerabilities result from malicious activity; in some cases, an employee may accidentally leak information to an outside location or click on a file containing malware, releasing it into the network.
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Process vulnerabilities. Specific process controls (or lack of controls) can lead to vulnerabilities. Weak passwords (also a human vulnerability) are one example.
According to the Open Web Security Project (OWASP), the top 10 security vulnerabilities include SQL Injection, Broken Authentication, Sensitive Data Exposure, Security Misconfiguration, Cross-Site Scripting, and more. Visit the OWASP website to see the entire list.
Steps for Testing Vulnerabilities
Vulnerability testing typically involves five steps:
- Planning
- Gathering information
- Discovering vulnerabilities
- Analysis and reporting
- Remediation
Planning
This step is where you determine your vulnerability testing goals and objectives, including which systems and networks to add.
Gathering Information
Next, gather information about the systems before the vulnerability assessment. Obtain as much information about the IT environment as possible, including networks, IP addresses, operating systems, and all other assets.
Discovering Vulnerabilities
Security analysts use network security testing tools to scan the system or network, identify security vulnerabilities, and filter out false positives. The goal is to quantify all threats and define how they affect the network and business processes.
Analysis and Reporting
The next part of the process involves analyzing, ranking, and reporting on the identified vulnerabilities; and then making recommendations for remediation.
Remediation
Based on the vulnerability assessment rankings, remediation includes patching the most critical flaws through software updates, installing new security tools, and enhancing security policies and procedures.
Additional Vulnerability Testing Questions
What is the difference between a penetration test and a vulnerability assessment?
A vulnerability assessment looks for known system vulnerabilities and reports potential exposures. A penetration test (also known as “pen test”) attempts to exploit weaknesses in the IT network architecture to determine the degree to which a malicious attacker can gain unauthorized access.
A vulnerability assessment uses automation; penetration tests are manual processes performed by qualified pen testers. Also, pen tests typically come after vulnerability testing and remediation, to confirm whether your remediation has worked.
What tools should I use to test vulnerabilities?
Security professionals use automated vulnerability scanners to conduct vulnerability assessments. A vulnerability scanner scans a network or system for known weaknesses.
Network vulnerability scanning tools can be either commercial and open source. Web application security scanning tools scan web applications, usually from the outside, looking for security vulnerabilities, including SQL injection, cross-site scripting, and insecure server configuration.
The type of vulnerability scanning tool you select will depend on your needs and budget.
Reduce Your Security Vulnerabilities With ZenGRC
Vulnerability testing is an essential part of vulnerability management. It allows organizations to protect their systems and data from cybersecurity breaches and unauthorized access.
While a vulnerability assessment won’t solve all your cybersecurity problems, it is a primary weapon in the cyber threat detection and prevention arsenal.
ZenGRC is a governance, risk management, and compliance tool that can support routine vulnerability assessment and penetration testing, enabling security professionals to do their jobs more effectively and efficiently.
To learn how ZenGRC can improve your vulnerability assessments and penetration testing strategies, schedule a free demo today.