Vulnerability management tool challenges, Avoiding mistakes with vulnerability management tools, Errors in using vulnerability management tools, Best practices to avoid pitfalls in vulnerability management, Issues with vulnerability management tools, Troubleshooting vulnerability management tool problems, Improving use of vulnerability management tools
Meta description: Avoid common pitfalls when using vulnerability management tools and ensure effective security. Learn best practices to improve your vulnerability management
Investing in a vulnerability management tool is like hiring elite security personnel to safeguard your organization. However, no matter how skilled your team is, they can only perform well if they have the right access and resources. Similarly, the effectiveness of your vulnerability management tool depends not only on the tool itself but also on how it’s implemented and maintained.
Moreover, a cybersecurity tool’s success isn’t just determined by the security team using it, but by everyone in the operating environment—from employees to C-suite executives and even remote employees. According to Gartner, “A human-centered approach to cybersecurity is essential to reduce security failures.”
In this blog, we’ll explore some common vulnerability management tool errors and challenges that can hinder your security efforts. We’ll also provide best practices to avoid pitfalls in vulnerability management to ensure your organization stays ahead of potential threats.
mistakes to avoid when using a vulnerability management tool
Failing to Implement Continuous Penetration Testing and Scanning
One of the biggest errors in using vulnerability management tools is relying solely on periodic scans or assessments. If your team only patches systems every few months, you’re leaving your organization vulnerable to zero-day threats. Cyber attackers look for gaps, and waiting too long between scans gives them ample time to exploit a vulnerability.
The solution? Implement continuous penetration testing and vulnerability scanning. This is where Penetration Testing as a Service (PTaaS) comes into play. PTaaS provides ongoing assessments, allowing for real-time identification and remediation of vulnerabilities.
Looking for a PTaaS provider? Siemba is a PTaaS platfom that can ensure that your vulnerability management approach is not just reactive, but proactive. With Siemba, you prioritize vulnerabilities by their potential for exploitation and tackle your most urgent gaps first.
Ignoring Regular Reviews and Audits
Even with continuous scanning, you and your security team can still fall into the trap of complacency by neglecting regular security reviews. It’s easy to let vulnerability management tools do all the heavy lifting, but relying solely on automated alerts without analyzing the broader security landscape (or addressing why some issues keep recurring) can be a critical mistake.
Regular reviews, whether conducted by an in-house CISO (but do you have the time?) or a managed service provider (MSP), help you identify recurring issues and trends.
By stepping back and looking at the macro view, you can uncover deeper problems in your system that might otherwise go unnoticed. On the other hand, when you fail to do so, you may think you’re saving time, but you end up spending far more time “troubleshooting” vulnerability management “tool” problems that are, in truth, process problems. Problems that could have been avoided with a more thorough, top-down review process.
Running Scans at the Wrong Time
Another issue with vulnerability management tools is improper scan scheduling. You might think that running a scan after business hours minimizes disruptions (and its possible that everyone is pushing you to do so).
However, at this point, most of your staff have their devices turned off!
Without proper coverage, important assets could be missed, creating gaps in your vulnerability management tool’s effectiveness.
To avoid this pitfall, make sure your scans cover all endpoints—including remote devices and employee-owned devices that access your network. Ensure that all systems are rebooted after patching to complete the security update cycle. Overlooking this step is a common mistake with vulnerability management tools that leaves vulnerabilities exposed.
Neglecting Remote Employee Security
Failing to protect your employees’ home offices can be one of the biggest vulnerability management tool challenges. Remote workers often connect to unsecured networks, and their personal devices may not be as tightly monitored as office equipment. This creates additional entry points for attackers.
To address this, ensure your mobile device management (MDM) system includes robust vulnerability scanning. This will allow you to monitor not just your employees’ work devices but also any third-party devices they connect to, such as printers or other peripherals. Neglecting this step could result in critical issues with vulnerability management tools down the road.
Pro tip: Don’t forget about devices from sales reps who might be out at meetings and C-suite members who might be traveling during the scheduled scan.
Overloading Your Scans
While comprehensive scanning is essential, overdoing it can cause network slowdowns or outages, especially if your scans aren’t properly calibrated to your system’s capacity. This is a common error in using vulnerability management tools that can disrupt business operations.
A well-calibrated scan should run in the background with minimal impact on network performance. By scaling your scans to your organization’s needs, you can avoid unnecessary downtime—thus minimizing flak for your team and your vulnerability management tool.
Failing to Calculate ROI on Vulnerability Management
Calculating the ROI for a vulnerability management tool can be tricky, but it’s essential for demonstrating the value of your security program. One way to assess ROI is by tracking metrics like the mean time to resolve critical vulnerabilities, the number of incidents caused by exploited vulnerabilities, and the financial impact of breaches that were avoided.
Failing to measure the effectiveness of your vulnerability management tool can make it difficult to justify the costs to stakeholders who sign off future budgets. Using a solution like PTaaS helps you maintain continuous visibility into your security posture, making it easier to demonstrate the ROI of your cybersecurity efforts.
Choosing the Wrong Vendor
Selecting the right vendor is crucial to your vulnerability management success. Too often, companies pick tools that don’t fully meet their needs or don’t offer adequate support. This results in issues with vulnerability management tools and leaves security gaps open longer than necessary.
Siemba’s PTaaS platform eliminates these vendor issues by providing comprehensive support and continuous penetration testing tailored to your organization’s needs.
Conclusion
Effective vulnerability management is more than just deploying a tool and letting it run. It requires thoughtful planning, regular reviews, and continuous scanning to identify and fix potential weaknesses. Avoid these common vulnerability management tool challenges by integrating all best practices to avoid pitfalls in vulnerability management we have recommended in this article.
To take your security to the next level, explore how Siemba’s PTaaS can provide real-time insights and actionable results. With Siemba, you can minimize risks, optimize your security resources, and stay ahead of emerging threats—without the common mistakes that trip up other organizations.
Ready to improve your vulnerability management? Contact Siemba.io today to learn how PTaaS can simplify your security efforts and ensure you’re always a step ahead of cyber threats.
FAQs
What is the importance of continuous scanning in vulnerability management?
Continuous scanning provides real-time threat identification, minimizing the risk of zero-day vulnerabilities.
How often should we conduct vulnerability reviews?
Vulnerability reviews should be conducted quarterly at a minimum, or more frequently if your environment changes or new threats emerge.
What are the risks of improper scan scheduling?
Running scans at the wrong times can lead to missed vulnerabilities, especially if critical assets are turned off.
How can we protect remote employees from vulnerabilities?
Implementing robust mobile device management (MDM) allows monitoring of both work and personal devices accessing the network.
Why is calculating ROI on vulnerability management important?
Measuring ROI helps justify security investments and demonstrates the value of your cybersecurity efforts to stakeholders.