Ninety-three percent of cybersecurity leaders suspect that catastrophic cybersecurity attacks are more likely to occur than ever. If your company is not sure where it stands on security, there may be gaps in your system that cybercriminals can sneak in through to access your valuable data. 

The most of attack surface is from weaknesses in application code, misconfigured network devices, overly permissive access controls in a database, or arbitrary code execution that an attacker can use to exploit a system or network.  

That’s why vulnerability assessments have become so vital.    

What is a Vulnerability Assessment?  

In cybersecurity, vulnerability assessment is an assessment within an organization’s IT infrastructure to identify, quantify and prioritize security weaknesses and vulnerabilities.  

Vulnerability assessment is crucial for organizations to understand the current state of their cybersecurity posture. By identifying existing weaknesses, organizations can mitigate risks and reduce the chances of a successful and devastating attack. 

The Goals of a Vulnerability Assessment 

A vulnerability assessment should start with an understanding of the goals, which include:   

• Identify any security weaknesses that could be exploited by attackers 
• Prioritize the risks associated with each weakness to determine which issues require immediate attention 

Regular vulnerability assessments using a combination of manual techniques and automated scanning tools allow us to keep ahead of emerging threats and vulnerabilities. 

Once potential issues are identified, you can take the necessary remediation steps to fix them and reduce the risk of being attacked. 

How To Conduct a Vulnerability Assessment 

Knowing where to start with a vulnerability assessment can be challenging, so here’s a step-by-step guide.  

Step One: Know Your Assets  

Ensure you understand your assets and the type of data they contain, which include hardware, software, and networks used by the organization.  

Identifying all systems that could be vulnerable to attack, including those not directly connected to the corporate network, is important. 

Step Two: Prioritize 

Some assets may be more at risk than others. Prioritize your assessment according to the following criteria: 

• Value of the data stored in or accessed by the asset
• Potential impact of a successful attack on the asset 
• Likelihood of an attack on the asset  

If you happen to be working with a tight budget, this prioritization will help you focus on your efforts. 

Step Three: Vulnerability Scanning  

You can use both: automated tools and manual checks to identify any weaknesses in your systems, networks, and software.   

When conducting vulnerability scans, it’s important to remember the following: 

• External Scans – Any publicly accessible systems on your network possibly targeted by attackers 
• Internal Scans – Vulnerable applications or services running within the corporate network.  

Investigating your company’s data governance strategy will also be helpful.  

Step Four: Analysis and Remediation  

Once you have identified the vulnerabilities within your system, it’s time to start planning remediation steps. These can range from implementing security patches to installing additional security tools.  

In some cases, replacing a vulnerable system or component may be necessary. Remember, monitoring the system is still needed in matter new vulnerabilities appear. 

The Undeniable Importance of a Vulnerability Assessment 

Data is the most valuable asset on the planet, so protecting yours is crucial. A vulnerability assessment is a company’s first defense against malicious threats to its assets, data, and information.  

Considering how critical this assessment is, first and foremost, bring in the experts. Mitrais offers extensive vulnerability assessments, consulting, asset management, and more. 

The sooner you assess your cyber vulnerabilities, the sooner you can solve them. Book a free consultation with the experts at Mitrais today!