Cyber security is an ever-growing industry with specialized domains. Often, it challenges expert security professionals to identify vulnerabilities. For every organization it is important to assess its IT infrastructure for potential threats so that it may function smoothly getting the best out of its efforts. Now, what is vulnerability?
Well, vulnerability is any mistake or weakness in the system security procedures, design, implementation or internal control in an organization that may result in the violation of the system's security policy. Now how is vulnerability assessed?
A vulnerability assessment or vulnerability testing is a systematic review to evaluate security weaknesses in the information system of an organization in order to reduce the probability of a potential hazard. It evaluates its susceptibility to any known risks, assigns severity levels to them and recommends remediation or mitigation, if and whenever needed. Vulnerability assessment aims at reducing the possibility for intruders (hackers) to get unauthorized access. Herein lies its importance.
A vulnerability assessment provides an organization with information on the security weaknesses in its IT environment and offers direction on how to assess the risks associated with those weaknesses and evolving threats. This process helps the organization with a better understanding of its assets, security flaws and overall risk, reducing the likelihood that a cybercriminal will breach its systems and catch the business off guard.
Vulnerability assessment process includes using a variety of tools, scanners and methodologies to identify probable risks. Some of the vulnerability assessment scans are:-
1. Network-based Scans
2. Host-based Scans
3. Wireless Network Scans
4. Application Scans
5. Database Scans
The various vulnerability testing methods are:-
1. Active Testing
2. Passive Testing
3. Network Testing
4. Distributed Testing
2. Passive Testing
3. Network Testing
4. Distributed Testing
The infrastructure of vulnerability assessment is very important. It is generally called Ethical Hacking or Network Penetration testing or Red Teaming. Essentially the security team of an organization tries to detect network and system vulnerabilities and to test such security they take an “attacker†like approach in order to gain access.
To enhance security in the infrastructure vulnerability assessment is a great way to accomplish that goal. Being proactive a vulnerability assessment determines one’s susceptibility to an attack before networks are exploited, and it forces companies to take early corrective action. In a nutshell, it can show the consequences of an attack to an organization.
After an assessment is made comes the hour for preparation of the reports. Vulnerability assessment report offers detailed information on existing vulnerabilities. With complex underlying concepts, the report needs to be basic in nature. It should be understandable to technical as well as non-technical stakeholders. From this report, companies can assess their risk with respect to web application, security posture and find appropriate solutions to eliminate the vulnerabilities.
Thus, every modern company needs a skilled, ethical hacker who can identify the vulnerabilities, offer valuable solutions, and write a detailed vulnerability assessment report.
Well-acclaimed training and credentialing program helps the employees of an organization to grasp the fundamentals of ethical hacking and create a comprehensive report.
