Types of Vulnerability Assessments You Must Know

Most of the time, threat incidents occur due to security vulnerabilities in the system. Compromised devices, unsecured networks, unprotected software, and weak management can lead to potential cyberattacks.

For this reason, it is a must for business owners to assess their cybersecurity measures and point out the possible vulnerabilities. A vulnerability assessment service can help you achieve the milestone.

However, before opting for such an approach, it is essential to understand the different kinds of the service. Keep reading the article to know more, as it will describe the top types of vulnerability assessments.

6 Commonly User Vulnerability Assessments Types

From your hosting system to applications and the kind of network you are using, vulnerabilities can occur at various levels. That is why there are different types of vulnerability assessments, as described below:

Network-Based

The potential source of vulnerabilities is often the network devices you are using in your workplace. These devices, if compromised, can serve as a gold mine for the threat actors.

Hence, vulnerability assessment often begins with analyzing machines like firewalls, switchers, routers, and other elements for potential weaknesses. If not assessed timely, these vulnerabilities can be exploited by cybercriminals to gain illegal access to your system.

Consequently, it can result in a loss like information transfer or data theft. This is why network-based vulnerability assessment is important. Therefore, people avail of Managed Security Services in UAE to identify weaknesses in their network system and execute proper action.  

Application-Based

Your software applications are not free from vulnerabilities. In fact, weaknesses in these apps are another potential source for threat actors to launch their sinister attacks.

Software apps like desktop applications, mobile applications, and web applications are in constant danger due to the following threats:

·         Cross-site scripting

·         Cryptographic issues

·         Outdated and vulnerable components

·          Data and security integrity failure

And more. Therefore, checking all the apps used in your office’s premises is essential to avoid unwanted consequences.

For this purpose, application-based vulnerability assessment is regarded as the perfect approach, where all the applications are tested for potential vulnerabilities. Experts use both manual and automated strategies to achieve the objective.

API-Based

Sometimes, cybercriminals manipulate vulnerabilities present in your API security to launch threat incidents. You heard it right. Even your API is not safe from these malicious actors.

These weaknesses can occur while deploying, designing, or implementing API and include the following:

·         Broken Object Level Authorization

·         Lack of Resources & Rate Limiting

·         Improper Asset Management

·         Broken User Authentication

·         Unhindered Access to Sensitive Business Flows

And more. Any of the abovementioned and other API weaknesses can potentially lead to undesired outcomes like system crashes, data theft, and unauthorized access.

This is why an API-based vulnerability assessment is done to point out hidden API vulnerabilities. This enables you to take precautionary steps and resolve the problem before it impacts your business integrity.

Host-Based

HTTP head attacks and other vulnerabilities can exist from the host side. These are referred to as host-based vulnerabilities. To detect such weaknesses a host-based vulnerability assessment is performed.

In this approach, different hardware and software components from the host side are analyzed to point out potential weaknesses that can prove fatal. This includes testing the server, laptops, workstations, and other elements.

This way, the whole system is scanned for malware, outdated software, and missing security patches. Both manual and automated strategies are adopted to make the assessment process successful.

Wireless Network VA

Since its invention, the wireless network has become an ideal source of connection for offices and homes due to its accessibility and efficiency. People do not have to go through a complex process of running wires throughout buildings or connecting various devices.

Despite offering the above benefits, a wireless network poses a potential threat to your system due to several vulnerabilities, for instance:

·         DoS or Denial of Service attack

·         Rogue Access Point

·         Evil Twin Attack

To detect the abovementioned and other vulnerabilities, a wireless network vulnerability assessment is done. Special tools and techniques are needed to accomplish the goals.

Physical VA

The physical security of a workplace is a critical component of the overall security system. Your office equipment can be malfunctioning or outdated enough for cybercriminals to exploit them and execute their attacks.

Moreover, the threats from internal con actors must not be disregarded while implementing security measures. If any of the machinery you have installed to surveil the physical environment of your office is not working properly, it means your sensitive data is not protected enough.

Hence, physical vulnerability assessment is leveraged to analyze various systems, including security cameras, access control, and locks for different vulnerabilities.

You can implement Managed Security Services to run physical VA and point out different weaknesses in your physical system. This will help you avoid future threat incidents.

Do You Want to Conduct Vulnerability Assessments in Your Office?

Identifying various weaknesses in your security system is essential to prevent data breaches and other unwanted circumstances. Contact a reliable service provider now to conduct a vulnerability assessment to know if your system is susceptible to threat incidents.