📌 Vulnerability Assessment Summary
A vulnerability assessment is a process that identifies and evaluates weaknesses in computer systems, networks, or applications that could be exploited by threats. This assessment helps organisations find security gaps before attackers do, so they can fix them and reduce risk. The process often includes scanning for known flaws, misconfigurations, and outdated software that could make a system less secure.
🙋🏻♂️ Explain Vulnerability Assessment Simply
Think of a vulnerability assessment like checking your house for unlocked windows or broken locks before leaving for a holiday. If you find any, you fix them to keep your house safe. In the same way, a vulnerability assessment checks computers and networks for weak spots that could let attackers in, so you can secure them before any trouble happens.
📅 How Can it be used?
A vulnerability assessment can be used to check a company’s website for security flaws before launching it to the public.
🗺️ Real World Examples
A hospital runs a vulnerability assessment on its patient records system to check for security holes that could expose sensitive medical information. The assessment finds outdated software and weak passwords, allowing the IT team to fix these issues and better protect patient data from cybercriminals.
A retail company performs a vulnerability assessment on its point-of-sale terminals and discovers some devices are using default passwords. By addressing these findings, the company strengthens its defences against credit card data theft.
✅ FAQ
What is a vulnerability assessment and why is it important?
A vulnerability assessment is a way to check computer systems, networks, or applications for weaknesses that could let in hackers or viruses. It is important because it helps organisations spot and fix security gaps before someone else does, making their technology safer and more reliable.
How often should a vulnerability assessment be done?
It is a good idea to carry out vulnerability assessments regularly, such as every few months or after major changes to your systems. This helps make sure new risks are found quickly and security stays up to date as technology changes.
What happens after a vulnerability assessment is completed?
After a vulnerability assessment, the results are reviewed to see which issues are most urgent. The next step is to fix the weaknesses found, like updating software or changing settings, so the risk of security problems is reduced.
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