Today’s networks are more distributed than a few years ago. Both remote teams and applications running on a cloud service, in addition to third-party applications provide a breadth of attack surface. The security team is now tasked with detect risks before the threat actors do. Manual assessment aren’t valid anymore and fixing network vulnerabilities after the fact leave doors open for the next adversary. That’s why automated detection, and remediation have become really important. Automation improves the rescanning, visibility, and consistency of vulnerability management especially in large and change jobs.
Network Vulnerabilities Are Getting Harder to Manage
Almost all organizations have a long lists of network vulnerabilities including unupdated devices, weak passwords, misconfigured firewalls, open ports, old firmware, shadow IT, and more. Those vulnerabilities enter networks because of the following:
➤ Devices show up on the networks without the explicit approval of IT.
➤ Configuration drifts.
➤ Patching takes too long.
➤ Teams are using spreadsheets or multiple different tools to track changes.
➤ The complexity of hybrid networks.
Threat actors do not need a lot of opportunities to breach a network, they often just need a single weak device or a router that hasn’t been updated in years. Automated tools will reduce the time windows between weaknesses entering the networks and the malicious actors exploiting a weakness.
How Auto-Mated Network Vulneribility Detection Works
Automating detection tools empower teams with a non-intrusive continuous view of what is going on within the network. Instead of normaling scanning, automated detection provides your teams a real-time view of changes and flagging anything that is identified as new in network vulnerabilities as per Netpicker.
Automated tools typically include the following:
1- Continuous Network Scanning
The platform will build a map of devices, ports, and software version in use, and gives your team alerts the moment it identifies any odd behavior or devices on the network.
2- Automated Configuration Checks
The tools check the settings for devices against an approved security policy and once it identifies any deviation on the policy like an open port, or encryption was disabled, the team is notified immediately.
3- Patch and Firmware Tracking
The initial activity within the tool is to continuously monitor software version, and operating systems so that when the team thinks they are in a safe place, a recent patch, or update will alert them to being back in a vulnerable state before an adversary can exploit the issue.
4- Behavioral Monitoring
On some platforms, the systems detects signs of abnormal activity such as trying to log into multiple accounts, or outbound activity that has increased suddenly, or detecting changes in configuration on devices.
With these levels of viewing capability, your teams can act swiftly before the event turns into a breach in network vulnerabilities.
Your Detection System is Only Half the Battle
The goal is to determine where the risk is and either work toward the fix, or fix it and be done with it. The ultimate goal here is to mitigate risk, so your organization does not become a victim. Most of the automation tools can also help prioritize remediation.
Automation platforms help remediate vulnerabilities by:
1- Enforcing Pre-Approved Fixes
If a device is non-compliant, the system can either disable a device or reset the device back to a default functioning configuration.
2- Auto-Patching Devices
Some of the most critical updates can be deployed without waiting for approval to push out an update, applying the patched version to all of the vulnerable devices as per Netpicker.
3- Blocking or Isolating High Risk Endpoints.
If a device is suspect, it can be removed and locked out of the networks until an IT team verifies whether or not it was a threat.
4- Trigger Workflows
If some of the network vulnerabilities require some human review, then automation can route the ticket through a ticketing system with full context and action plan if approved.
This synthesis of automated action and thoughtful escalation means teams can secure the environment without overwhelming them in network vulnerabilities.
Why Automation Enhances Security Posture
Automation always saves time, but as per Netpicker it also adds discipline to the network and reduces the number of minor errors that often lead to larger breaches.
Some key examples of automation benefits are;
- Faster MTTR on vulnerability incidents
- Fewer configuration errors
- Consistent adherence across each device
- Better compliance reporting
- Improved visibility across hybrid and cloud environments
These factors all strengthen your network’s resiliency to accommodate rapid change without compromising security as per Netpicker.
The Future: Fully Automatic Network Vulnerabilities Management
As networks grow, fully autonomous systems will become even more critical. Tools that predict risks prior to deployment, accurately correlate historic data to prevent deviation, and remediate across thousands of devices simultaneously will all become possible.
If organizations engage automation early, they can also conclude that they will be ahead of a threat and not just catching up. For more information on network vulnerabilities, contact us at Netpicker!