How do you find weaknesses in your digital system before they are exploited and lead to major breaches? Whether it’s an information database, security procedures, internal controls, or data implementation, your system is only as secure as your last vulnerability assessment. This is a vital process that you need to take seriously if you’re to avoid system attacks.
What Does a Vulnerability Assessment Entail?
Before you can take any action, you must first understand your system’s weak points. A vulnerability assessment will define, identify, classify, and prioritize the problems with your digital asset infrastructure. This will allow you to stay on top of security weaknesses and assess risk patterns before you take the next steps to deal with them.
To do this, you will need a vulnerability scan, and there are five types you can utilize:
– Network scans can identify weaknesses associated with your network, be they wired or wireless systems.
– Host scans will find the vulnerabilities in your servers, and workstations to provide a clear view of your configuration settings and patch history.
– Wireless scans will ensure a clear Wi-Fi network so that your company’s network is secure against unauthorized entry through hidden access points.
– Application scans are designed to detect known software vulnerabilities on websites.
– Database scans prevent malicious attacks on the weakest parts of your secured information storage system.
Steps for a Vulnerability Assessment
The biggest part of a vulnerability assessment is taking proactive steps to secure a system thereby avoiding the breach with the proper tools. A risk assessment will vary based on the type of business being secured, the specific industry, and the overall compliance regulations for that sector. In general, most businesses can be guided by these assessment steps:
– Identify the deficiencies in security
– Determine the risk factors to how or what may be affected
– Develop control measures to mitigate the risks
– Record to process and the findings
– Review the risk management playbook regularly and update it as needed
Implementing a Vulnerability Assessment Plan
Establishing a risk assessment plan is part of a bigger process in ensuring a secure business. This is a constantly evolving risk landscape that requires consistent efforts to haul potential threats against your company. Make threat prioritization a key to keeping your business safe based on the type of threat encountered and what’s at stake.
When done well, your business will be cyber-resilient with the ability to limit the number of threats it needs to fight off, and the strength of those threats against your systems. By remaining vigilant, you will give your company the shield it needs to be ready for most attacks.
Understand your security weaknesses before they become security liabilities that cost you and your business time, money, and the trust of your clients. To learn more about how an IT security vulnerability assessment can help your business secure your data, devices, and digital networks, speak with the professionals at Longhurst Consulting, the cyber-security experts. We serve customers throughout Alberta including Edmonton, Calgary, Red Deer, and Lethbridge.
