Vulnerability management is known for being a foundational cybersecurity practice. While open-source VM solutions have perhaps provided an introduction to the benefits of VM, the modern threat landscape makes it so organizations need more advanced and reliable tools to stay secure. Here’s why enterprise grade VM solutions are more essential now than ever.
Beating complexity with technology
Enterprise vulnerability management tools feature a variety of technologies that enable them to keep pace with the complexities of modern organizations.
Because these tools need to be immediately available for enterprise-level consumption, they are more frequently updated by developers focused on the tool. Open-source platforms may or may not receive the same amount of scrutiny or consistent attention.
Additionally, enterprise VM offers more sophisticated scanning options, reaching across on-premises, cloud, and hybrid architectures. Coupled with better data manipulation and API availability, this results in better, more robust capabilities that can match today’s complicated threat onslaught. Enterprise VM can:
- Scan local systems
- Scan the entire global network
- Correlate data on dynamic assets
- Integrate with other enterprise-level tools
- Cut resource costs by being user-friendly and easy to deploy
- Infuse risk context for accurate, personalized remediation prioritization
Additional technical considerations of an enterprise VM solution include:
- Automated and On-Demand Scanning | Automated scanning relieves the everyday security burden for busy teams and allows companies to respond immediately to developing issues.
- Data Management | After scans are run, the best enterprise VM will make sense of the data, not leave teams to distill it themselves. From customized reports to being able to query against all scanned assets, data management capabilities increase the value of scanned data.
- Asset Correlation | Enterprise VM solutions ensure scan results are accurate and actionable by reducing false positives. In the best systems, built-in technology automatically tracks a device through the network and any changes, reducing confusion and inefficiencies as part of asset data correlation.
- Intuitive Platform Interface | A pre-built, intuitive interface takes the load off new employees and creates reliability in scan creation, even with turnover, staff shortages, and internal changes.
- API Availability | Solutions that are available via API can spread their benefit throughout the broader ecosystem. Through APIs, VM data can enrich SOAR, SIEM, NAC and more.
Superior documentation
Advanced documentation enables organizations to sidestep inefficiencies, pass compliance audits, and avoid wasted time.
As companies continue to grapple with the cybersecurity skills gap, it becomes essential to have thorough documentation to bring users up to speed quickly. As vulnerabilities are patched and controls are put in place, enterprise-level documentation can save companies months of effort and re-work.
Better reporting also means better audits. Vulnerability management solutions are essential to compliance audits and enterprise grade scanners typically come with detailed reporting capabilities built in. The best VM solutions offer segmented and customized reporting so companies can tailor them to their specific vulnerability, configuration, and compliance needs.
Additionally, interactive and visual reporting platforms enable organizations to get the most out of their data. With the help of a central dashboard, users can search, visualize, and analyze their data via interactive, non-static reports.
Ultimately, the C-suite needs to be made aware of the results of vulnerability management scans. Superior documentation leads to cleaner communication. If an executive has a specific question, practitioners who utilize enterprise VM have the ability to draw specific answers out of a customized, malleable report.
Continuous support
Organizations today are too busy for constant questions and troubleshooting. Enterprise VM solutions come with continuous support for teams that want to spend more time on critical security issues.
Expert support keeps things moving. Teams can offload the burden of the learning curve, platform problems, and administrative tasks to enterprise VM experts who can provide simple ways forward. Leverage the expertise of practitioners who know the product, understand your vulnerability management needs, and can help you meet them with minimal downtime.
Enterprise VM solutions like Frontline Vulnerability Manager can provide 24/7 live US-based customer support. A Personal Security Analyst is available to provide personalized on-demand support, and a team of platform experts can offer unparalleled expertise to help companies get the most out of their enterprise VM.
Conclusion
Enterprise vulnerability management enables organizations to overcome the security challenges native to shifting and expanding environments.
Frequently updated technologies make possible the advanced scanning, data management, and analysis capabilities needed to combat modern threat complexity. Better documentation saves time and resources while delivering streamlined reporting to executives and practitioners who need it most. And the constant level of support guaranteed with the best enterprise VM platforms pays for itself in time saved, overhead, and the cost of training.
While all vulnerability management programs are a step in the right direction, not all can keep up. Digital ecosystems are expanding and as data explodes, open-source tools managed by in-house teams struggle to maintain the peoplepower or updated technologies needed to fight threats at scale. Frontline VM optimizes small teams and reduces inefficiencies, saving resources, and enabling organizations to keep up – not catch up – with vulnerability management demands.
About the Author
Mieng Lim, Vice President, Product Management has served as a security expert for Digital Defense, Inc. since 2001. Mieng takes a consultative approach to security having held prior roles in Operations, Quality Assurance and Sales Engineering. Mieng seamlessly blends technical expertise with real world scenarios to provide an entertaining and educational cyber security perspective. Mieng serves a mentor and STEM advocate encouraging young women to pursue careers in security and technology and volunteers with BSides San Antonio as a staff member. Mieng holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science with Minor in Sociology from Trinity University.
