An IT vulnerability assessment, also known as vulnerability testing, is used to identify and evaluate the severity of weaknesses in an organization’s IT infrastructure. Very similar to looking for hidden treasures on the beach with a metal detector, vulnerability assessments expose the areas of your security that need optimizing.
Another way to look at it is from the viewpoint of ethical hacking, which is performed using penetration testing. The combination of both penetration testing and vulnerability assessments ensures you expose every area of your IT infrastructure that is susceptible to cyber threats. Ultimately, vulnerability testing is a method of protection against cyberattacks and hackers alike.
If your business handles highly confidential documents and information, you cannot afford to skimp on your IT security systems. Still, companies of any nature are susceptible to cyberattacks, so be sure to contract managed security service provider from Canada’s number one provider, Simnet.
The Five Main Steps of Vulnerability Testing.
- Establish a plan – this assessment step identifies all relevant information and necessary resources available to the tester. Working with an objective will ensure you do not miss crucial steps in mitigating risk factors in your IT infrastructure.
- Gather information – once you have established a clear and concise plan, you can gather further information that will be useful during the testing phase. This could be business logic, privilege requirements or any other data that could be of use during the process.
- Identify vulnerabilities – using the information you have gathered, you can start identifying and exposing any existing weaknesses within your IT infrastructure. This step can be carried out using both manual and automated processes. It is recommended to use penetration testing along with vulnerability testing if complex issues are found.
- Compile a report – this phase is the most important. All of your testing and information will be useless without a detailed account of identified risks. In addition, the report should include solutions and strategies to mitigate the risks.
- Implement remediation processes – now that you have identified the weaknesses in your system, your managed security service provider can implement remediation processes to strengthen your cyber security systems and provide tools for future detection and mitigation.
Advantages of Vulnerability Testing
One of the main advantages of vulnerability assessments – aside from validating the effectiveness of current security precautions and system upgrades and updates – is that it provides quantifiable evidence of the risk internal systems and sensitive data face in the event of cyberattacks.
In addition, it protects you from future risks and instils confidence in your customers or clients with an improved business reputation.
Simnet offers top-tier IT vulnerability assessments that help secure your business now and in the future. Contact us today to book a consultation.