Network vulnerability scanning has become a fundamental practice in cybersecurity because it is the first step in keeping attackers out. After all, if they can’t get in they can’t attack. Vulnerability scanning tools search through and report on vulnerabilities in your system for you—saving valuable time and resources. Here are the top five for 2021:
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Tenable Nessus
Tenable shares scanners, schedules, scan policies, and results between different teams with customization of workflows for efficient network vulnerability management.
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Rapid7 Nexpose
Rapid7 works from discovery to mitigation of vulnerabilities. It works in physical, virtual, cloud, and mobile environments.
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Tripwire IP360
Tripwire has a continuous network management program that discovers, analyzes, and responds to vulnerabilities. Viewing capabilities help security teams develop both risk management strategies and policies to help remediation.
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OpenVAS
OpenVAS is an open-source scanner that helps security teams patch holes using a database of test plugins. With this, a framework for the management of a complete vulnerability management solution is included.
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CrowdStrike Falcon
CrowdStrike Falcon is a unifier of antivirus (NGAV), endpoint detection and response (EDR), cyber threat intelligence, and security hygiene. It uses the identification of known malware, machine learning for unknown malware, exploit blocking, and advanced Indicator of Attack (IOA) behavioral techniques to defend enterprises from breaches.
With great scanners out there, it can be difficult to choose one that fits your enterprise. We recommend examining two key factors to take into consideration:
- A network vulnerability scanner should identify devices, ports, operating systems, and software connected to a network, then connect this information with the latest found vulnerabilities. They can also detect misconfigurations and lack of security controls/policies within a network.
- Once vulnerabilities are identified, a scanner should prioritize them based on risk. A root cause analysis is also often performed to find the origin of the issue (which plays into prioritization).
But without investing in a risk-based remediation solution, even the best scanner will only leave you with an endless to-fix list, with no clarity on how to fix the vulnerabilities themselves.
Vulcan Cyber is a cyber risk management platform that simplifies your vulnerability management and help you own your risk. Our platform has the ability to integrate with any of these scanners so you have a comprehensive system that works for your enterprise.
If you are interested in Vulcan Cyber along with these vulnerability scanners, check out our integrations page. Take a deeper look at our integrations with Tenable and CrowdStrike.
