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Cybersecurity threats are an ever-present danger for businesses of all sizes. Cyber criminals are constantly developing new techniques to breach systems, steal data, and cause harm. In order to mitigate these risks, it is essential to have robust security measures in place. One such measure is the use of scheduled external vulnerability scans.

What is an External Vulnerability Scan?

An external vulnerability scan is a process by which a security professional or automated tool analyzes a company’s online presence and infrastructure for vulnerabilities. This includes website, public IP addresses, and any other online assets that are publicly accessible. The scan looks for any security weaknesses that could be exploited by an attacker, such as unpatched software, misconfigured systems, or weak passwords.

Why is an External Vulnerability Scan Important?

One of the key benefits of external vulnerability scans is early detection of vulnerabilities. By identifying potential weaknesses before they are exploited, companies can take action to fix the issue and reduce the risk of a breach. This can include installing patches, changing configuration settings, or implementing stronger authentication measures.

Another crucial factor is compliance with regulations and industry standards. Many security standards, such as the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), require companies to perform regular external vulnerability scans as a means of ensuring that sensitive data is protected. Failing to comply with these regulations can result in financial penalties and a tarnished reputation.

Regular external vulnerability scans also help to improve a company's overall security posture. By staying up-to-date with the latest threats and vulnerabilities, businesses can ensure that their security measures are effective and reduce the risk of breaches. This, in turn, can help to protect sensitive information and maintain the trust of customers.

Here are the Top 10 reasons:

1. Detect Security Weaknesses: External vulnerability scans help to identify vulnerabilities in your network before they are exploited by attackers.
2. Compliance: Regular scans can demonstrate compliance with industry standards and regulations, such as PCI-DSS.
3. Early Warning: Scheduled scans provide an early warning of potential security risks, allowing you to take proactive steps to address them.
4. Improve Security Posture: Regular scans can help you improve your overall security posture by identifying and addressing potential security risks.
5. Stay Ahead of Threats: By staying informed about potential security risks, you can take steps to stay ahead of new and evolving threats.
6. Detect Network Changes: Scheduled scans can detect changes in your network configuration and identify new vulnerabilities that may have been introduced.
7. Validate Security Controls: Scans can validate the effectiveness of your existing security controls and identify areas where they may need to be improved.
8. Prioritize Risk Management: Scans can help you prioritize risk management efforts by identifying the most critical vulnerabilities first.
9. Cost Effective: External vulnerability scans can be cost-effective, especially when compared to the cost of a successful cyberattack.
10. Regular Baseline: Regular scans provide a baseline against which you can measure progress and track improvements in your security posture over time.

Finally, external vulnerability scans play a crucial role in reputation management. In case of a data breach, companies can suffer significant harm to their reputation, leading to loss of customers and financial losses. By regularly performing vulnerability scans, companies can reduce the risk of breaches and protect their reputation, thereby preserving the trust of their customers and stakeholders.