Understanding the importance of vulnerability assessments

The importance of vulnerability assessments as a proactive approach to securing your business

Small and medium-sized businesses face an increasing array of cyber threats that can compromise critical systems and sensitive data. Proactively identifying and addressing vulnerabilities is essential to maintaining robust security and operational continuity. By investing in regular vulnerability assessments, organisations can uncover hidden weaknesses, ensure compliance with industry standards, and strengthen their overall security posture.  Taking a proactive approach and looking for vulnerabilities helps safeguard both business operations and maintains client trust.

• What is a vulnerability assessment?
  
• What is the difference between a vulnerability assessment and a penetration test?
• What does a comprehensive vulnerability assessment consist of?
• How do you prioritise what vulnerabilities to address first? 
• Should vulnerability assessments be repeated?
• Should vulnerability assessments be part of standard IT support?
  

What is a vulnerability assessment?

A vulnerability assessment is a process that identifies, quantifies, and prioritises the vulnerabilities in your IT systems. It uses specialised software tools to methodically scan your network, applications, and systems for known vulnerabilities that could be leveraged by cybercriminals to gain unauthorised access. By identifying these weaknesses, organisations can take proactive measures to close gaps and mitigate potential threats before they can be exploited.

An assessment provides a comprehensive understanding of your organisation's cyber security weaknesses and helps in the development of strategies to enhance overall security. It is a crucial aspect of maintaining the integrity, confidentiality, and availability (the triad of cyber security) of an organisation's data and systems.

What is the difference between a vulnerability assessment and a penetration test?

While both vulnerability assessments and penetration testing are essential components of a robust security strategy, they serve different purposes.

A vulnerability assessment focuses on identifying and listing known vulnerabilities within a system. It looks for outdated software, insecure configurations, and other weaknesses that could pose a security risk.

On the other hand, penetration testing goes a step further by attempting to exploit these vulnerabilities to understand the actual impact of a potential attack. Pen testers simulate real-world attacks to see how far they can penetrate the system and what data they can access. This helps organisations understand the effectiveness of their existing security measures and identify areas that need improvement.

What does a comprehensive vulnerability assessment consist of?

A comprehensive vulnerability assessment typically includes several key components,  evaluated by a single tool. When running an assessment, an agent is installed onto your computers and network that feeds back information, which is automatically processed and assessed against lists of known issues. Your cloud services may also be connected to the assessment tool to give even deeper insight.

Common tasks carried out during an assessment are:

1. Creation of an asset register listing every device on your network, including devices that may have been forgotten about, and that don't receive automatic updates.
2. Identification of known vulnerabilities in your systems that are listed in a public database called Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE).
3. Detection of outdated and unpatched software that could be exploited by attackers.
4. Analysis of insecure configurations that may pose security risks.
5. Examination of Microsoft Active Directory (the system that assigns your user accounts, controls what they can do, and what devices they work on)
6. Analysis of your Microsoft 365 policy configurations to ensure they adhere to best practices.
7. High-level scanning of web services and applications to identify potential weaknesses.

By covering these areas, a vulnerability assessment provides a detailed overview of an organisation's security posture and highlights weaknesses that could be exploited by cyber criminals.

How do you prioritise what vulnerabilities to address first? 

Once vulnerabilities have been identified, it is crucial to prioritise them based on their severity and potential impact. This can be done by looking at the CVE ratings assigned to each vulnerability, which indicate the level of risk they pose.

Treat the results of the vulnerability assessment like a risk assessment. You cannot fix everything at once, so it is essential to prioritise critical and high-priority issues first.

By addressing the most severe vulnerabilities first, you can significantly reduce the risk of a successful attack and enhance your overall security posture.

Should vulnerability assessments be repeated?

While conducting a vulnerability assessment once can provide valuable insights into your security posture, continuously scanning and reporting offers even greater benefits.

Regular scans help ensure that new vulnerabilities are identified and addressed promptly, reducing the window of opportunity for attackers.

Continuous scanning also supports compliance with security frameworks such as Cyber Essentials and other industry standards. By maintaining up-to-date reports on your security posture, you can demonstrate your commitment to security and compliance, which is crucial for building trust with clients and stakeholders.

Should vulnerability assessments be part of standard IT support?

As of now, vulnerability assessments are not typically included in standard IT support packages. This is primarily because they require specialist tools and expertise that go beyond the scope of regular IT support services.

Given the increasing frequency and sophistication of cyber threats, it is likely that vulnerability assessments will be offered by an increasing number of managed service providers (MSP) in the future and may eventually become a standard inclusion in IT support if the cost can be reduced.

For now, businesses should consider asking their MSP about conducting a vulnerability assessment project. This proactive approach can help in identifying potential threats early and taking the necessary steps to mitigate them, thereby reducing the risk of data breaches and other security incidents.

Next Steps...

If you'd like to know where your business's weaknesses lurk, then get in touch with us today. Our team of Edinburgh-based experts will carry out a vulnerability assessment for you to give you peace of mind, or help you target work with your IT partner to plug and holes in your defences.