The Importance of Maintaining Vulnerability Management Services.

Raw, Revised Output

Managing vulnerabilities is a crucial component of every security strategy. It requires continual monitoring of a company's digital landscape to spot and rectify any weaknesses in systems, devices, and applications that may invite bad actors. This proactive approach reduces a company's risk exposure, safeguarding them from unauthorized access to private data. However, it's a significant undertaking.

With cloud-based applications becoming commonplace, these require regular check-ups and patches. Given that vulnerability management is an ongoing process, and organizations are increasingly dependent on these cloud services, managing vulnerabilities remains an unending task. This necessitates a sizable security team. Businesses without the necessary resources often turn to vulnerability management services to streamline and boost efficiency.

Challenges of DIY Vulnerability Management

Scouring a company's entire digital landscape for vulnerabilities is time-consuming, even when automated software is employed. As new vulnerabilities surface every day, patching software and rectifying misconfigured systems consumes considerable time – especially when ensuring critical systems remain functional.

Businesses with the budget can manage the process in-house. However, those without a dedicated security team typically have no choice but to enlist a vulnerability management service to close the gap.

While there are various reasons to invest in a vulnerability management service, here are a few compelling ones.

Too many vendors: Vulnerability management demands comprehensive tools and processes to monitor and scrutinize all networks and devices, patching up any detected weaknesses. This means businesses need to carefully evaluate which tools are best suited for their environment, research different platforms, tailor the chosen tools to meet their specific needs, and then oversee their ongoing management. Each step requires substantial effort, particularly for smaller teams.
All-encompassing process: Vulnerability management cannot be condensed for smaller teams or organizations. The process requires comprehensive coverage because a single oversight can be exploited. You can't opt for tools that only scan your most frequented apps and systems, or invest in scanning tools without a remediation tool or plan. Vulnerability management is a holistic approach.
Urgent action is mandatory: Hackers never sleep, and they're always on the hunt for a new vulnerability to exploit. Zero-day attacks require immediate attention. Even a delay of a day or a few hours could lead to a data breach. Thus, a lack of resources could easily result in a security breach. A robust vulnerability management system enables businesses to stay one step ahead of attackers. But, if that's not possible, at a minimum, they need to keep pace and address vulnerabilities as soon as possible.
Never-ending process: Vulnerability management is an ongoing process. New vulnerabilities surface every day, and updates often include patches to fix existing vulnerabilities. This means businesses cannot take a break, even during holidays or staff changes. The process needs to run without interruption. While organizations with large security teams can manage consistent vulnerability management, others will need to outsource these tasks to a team with the bandwidth to maintain a consistent vulnerability management program.

Finding the Right Vulnerability Management Partner

The vulnerability management process typically involves three stages: visibility, vulnerability scanning, and remediation. Software solutions and services can address each of these stages, some focusing on one area while others offer comprehensive coverage.

Whether your business works with multiple vendors, a one-stop partner, or manages a portion of the process in-house, it's essential that all stages receive attention. You can't repair issues you can't see, and failing to address vulnerabilities leaves you vulnerable. Here's what you'll need to consider for effective vulnerability management.

Gain Visibility

To scan and monitor all devices, software, and infrastructure, a company must first understand its attack surface and what it's monitoring. While this may seem straightforward, most employees use multiple devices across multiple networks (home, office, coffee shops, etc.). To manage them efficiently, you need comprehensive visibility. Tools that surface all systems and assets in a digital environment then display their usage locations are crucial. When selecting a visibility tool, find one that meets your specific needs – whether you're a small SME or a global enterprise.

Scan for Vulnerabilities

Vulnerability scanning services are usually what people think of when considering vulnerability management solutions. Companies that offer vulnerability scans or assessments scan operating systems, software, devices, and applications for vulnerabilities, analyzing how systems are configured to ensure no gaps exist that attackers can exploit. Depending on the tool or service you're employing, this may include an initial deep-dive scan or assessment, followed by ongoing faster scans that search for new vulnerabilities.

Traditional vulnerability scanners run automated tests searching for common weaknesses or known vulnerabilities across a company's digital footprint. Depending on the organization's size, these scans can take minutes or several hours, providing a high-level report of potential vulnerabilities. These tools are often complemented by penetration testing software or a red team, which takes a more hands-on, detailed approach to vulnerability management. In the case of penetration testing, simulated attacks are launched on a company's systems to determine if a vulnerability can be exploited.

When choosing a vulnerability scanning service, ensure they keep track of the latest information regarding known vulnerabilities, such as CVE details, a comprehensive list of critical vulnerabilities that is updated daily. The tools should also categorize and prioritize vulnerabilities based on risk severity, helping organizations swiftly and effectively fix them. Companies may also want to assess a solution's reporting capabilities (especially if the company has specific compliance needs) and integrations with project management or remediation tools to discover the best vulnerability scanning software or partner for their needs.

Remediate Known Vulnerabilities

Beyond offering suggestions on how to rectify vulnerabilities, some vulnerability management solutions may repair vulnerabilities. Depending on the chosen tool or provider, they may identify next steps, automatically generate remediation tickets for IT teams, automatically check for updates and prompt users when updates are available, or even deploy patches across all company devices. These tools are essential in minimizing risk exposure and ensuring vulnerabilities are found and addressed 24/7.

Nevertheless, businesses should not rely solely on automated tools for comprehensive patch management. While certain vulnerabilities can be quickly remedied through auto updates, others require skilled human intervention. If an organization doesn't have someone internally who can focus on ongoing vulnerability remediation, the task must be outsourced to a vulnerability management service to ensure systems are properly configured, updates are installed promptly, patches are deployed effectively, and the organization's overall risk is reduced.

How Our Website Can Help

Our website offers a first-of-its-kind outsourced security partnership. We provide 24/7 human-led monitoring and vulnerability management support using the latest tools and CVE databases to ensure your company is not exposed to unnecessary risk and maintains a resilient security posture. In addition to vulnerability detection and remediation services, we also provide guidance on implementing security policies, incorporating security best practices into everyday processes, and deploying security training to minimize shadow IT, proactively address exploitable vulnerabilities, and repair vulnerabilities as soon as they emerge.

Contact us today to learn more about our vulnerability management services.

Enrichment Data Summary:

Outsourcing vulnerability management services can offer several benefits to small to medium-sized businesses, including cost savings, access to expertise, enhanced security capabilities, 24/7 monitoring and maintenance, compliance and regulatory support, and risk management and control.

In the context of technology and cybersecurity, businesses without the necessary resources often outsource vulnerability management services to streamline and boost efficiency, due to the time-consuming nature of scouring a company's entire digital landscape for vulnerabilities, the all-encompassing process involved, the urgent action required to address zero-day attacks, and the need for consistent vulnerability management.
A comprehensive vulnerability management partner should offer tools and services addressing the stages of visibility, vulnerability scanning, and remediation, with the ability to surface all systems and assets, scan operating systems, software, devices, and applications for vulnerabilities, and efficiently remediate known vulnerabilities, while maintaining comprehensive visibility, employing the latest information regarding known vulnerabilities, and providing reporting capabilities and integrations with project management or remediation tools.