Archive for the ‘Vulnerability Management’ Category
Getting Started with Vulnerability Patch Management
Last week, we discussed the benefits of a vulnerability patch management plan in boosting information security on a company-wide level. From IT policy development to network restructuring, there are countless reasons to integrate vulnerability patch management.
Once you decide to start working with an online or local IT consulting firm, you will most likely go through the following steps:
Inventory and Assessment: Not only will your IT consultant assess the strength of your current system from an operating standpoint, but he or she will also inventory the resources you have in the form of hardware, software, bandwidth, and even the employees you can rely on. All of these factors weigh in on the strength and viability of your system.
Monitor and Identify Threats: Using the inventory you currently have (or using new additions based on your consultant’s recommendations), you will begin a monitoring program that finds weaknesses and emerging threats. This may be automated, or it may be part of your consultant’s plan. In either case, you should be able to tell where to put your focus for moving forward.
Move Forward: This includes prioritizing the vulnerabilities, creating a database of solutions based on the prioritization list, and actually implementing the patches. It doesn’t matter whether you immediately apply the patches or if you spread them out over a period of time, this is the point at which you develop a long-term solution to see you and your company through the next few years.
Begin Automation: Making vulnerability patch management a regular part of your business means relaying the appropriate information to administrators and setting up an automated detection patch deployment system. In many cases, this will include training your IT staff on how to read the vulnerability scan results and how to apply solutions before they become liabilities in your business.
Benefits of Vulnerability Patch Management
Many of today’s top companies have been working on vulnerability management for as long as they’ve operated on a network of information technology. After all, information security is an important component of running a successful business – especially when that business works with personal information, finances, and other sensitive data.
However, companies that have an existing vulnerability management plan might not be as protected as they think. Over time, the series of patches used to repair weaknesses or “holes” in the system might burden a network or fail to provide complete safety against penetration. That’s why most IT consultants recommend vulnerability patch management as a way to revitalize an existing system that is either ineffective or that hasn’t been updated in at least a year.
Overall, vulnerability patch management systems work by:
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Providing a core for all other vulnerability tasks. Instead of merely putting patches on top of patches, you’re looking beyond an immediate solution to an entire restructuring of the way your business handles technology. This also creates a concrete plan of action that can gear your entire company toward a more results-oriented approach to technology.
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Bringing administrators, technology experts, and separate department together. For a vulnerability patch management program to work effectively, it must become a company-wide solution that pays attention to the organizational hierarchy. What department has the biggest need for vulnerability protection? Where is it the most cost-effective to start? The answers to these questions can be integrated into policy to become a baseline for future vulnerability patch solutions.
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Eliminating downtime. Whether it’s freeing up a burdened system to run more effectively or freeing up your employees to turn their attention to more pressing tasks, a vulnerability patch management plan is a great way to monitor, revise, and streamline your information system.
Next week, we’ll look at how getting started with vulnerability patch management works and what businesses can expect.
Financial Institutions and Vulnerability Management
If you’re in the business of money, vulnerability management should be on your list of priorities. In addition to security risks that change as often as the market, there are also considerations in federal regulations regarding customer data safety, as well.
There are a number of components of a good vulnerability management plan, including everything from finding weaknesses to making sure employee compliance is at its height. Some of the major components include:
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Policies and Procedures: How does your company define rights and responsibilities for employee device use, user identity, and server access? How accessible and enforced is this information?
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Baseline and Assessment: Where are your biggest weaknesses – in the system or in employee use? Have you run a vulnerability assessment, and what are the findings?
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Priorities: Now that you know where your vulnerabilities lie, how important are they? What needs to be addressed immediately, and what can be put off until the budget allows?
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Solutions: Most companies fail the biggest in this category of vulnerability management: follow-through. Knowing where your weaknesses lie will only help you strengthen your infrastructure if you do something about them.
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Regular Maintenance: For financial institutions, this step is key. Information regulations are always changing, and in order to avoid liability and maintain a good name in the industry, you have to put data security at the top of your list.
It doesn’t matter whether you’re in the market for a vulnerability management review or if you’re considering it for the first time - you can benefit from the services of an IT consulting firm that specializes in your industry.
Vulnerability Metrics, Simplified
In its most basic form, vulnerability metrics is a set of values assigned to networks and applications. However, in order to use it to prevent an IT disaster, you need to know how to use those metrics effectively. Vulnerability metrics are best used when applied to determine how at risk a business is from a network threat as well as how great of an impact that threat will be.
Imagine the following scenario:
You suspect theft from within your company. What kind of measures would you take to catch the thief, prevent it from happening again, and regain whatever it is that has been affected? What actvities can be set aside while you focus on this task, and what simply cannot be sacrificed at this time?
Vulnerability metrics is basically the network of professionals behind the hero in an action-packed thriller movie. While the hero is responsible for going out there and getting things done, he can’t do it without someone he trusts processing his information, warning him of risks, and providing a sounding board for making the right decisions.
In the same way, without the metrics allowing you to compare and identify your most important threats, you not only leave your network exposed and defenseless, but it will be difficult to recuperate from the threat and you would not know how to prevent it from happening again. After all, you have to keep that hero alive and working.
There is a weakness to every organization, it is finding it and controlling it that is the true task. Once you are aware of your company’s weakness, you can understand the affects of it and learn how to prevent it.
Though it is easy to obtain vulnerability metrics, implementing them is a harder task if you are not properly trained. A well-qualified employee or an IT consultant has been trained to use the metrics system specifically for your business and your bottom line. With the correct training, vulnerability metrics can be an essential service in protection your business.
When it Comes to Vulnerability Management, Variability is Key
If you’re implementing or considering implementing a vulnerability management plan through an IT support firm, one of the top things to look for is variability in the range of services. At its core, vulnerability management is all about putting a safety net underneath your system – and the wider you spread that net, the better your chances of catching anything that falls. That’s why we recommend that you never rely on just one type of vulnerability tool to provide you with all the security measures you need.
Of the types of tools available, the top ones include:
- Vulnerability assessments and metrics, which provide quantifiable results on your existing applications and infrastructure. Only by determining where your weaknesses are and how important they are to your business can you address your problems with the ideal (and most cost-effective) approach.
- Information security scans and penetration tests, which support vulnerability assessments by actually getting into the holes in your system. By simulating a hacker or virus attacking your system, you can determine where you need the most work.
- Restorative measures and patches, which provide the repairs to those vulnerabilities identified during the preceding steps. Discovering weaknesses isn’t enough; you have to take steps to repair them.
- Data and disaster recovery plans, which provide real-time results if the unthinkable occurs. While preventative measures are best, you also have to have the framework in place to deal with disasters after they occur.
Regardless of what type of business you’re in, it is the combination of all these that offers the maximum layer of protection. That’s why you should discuss comprehensive vulnerability management options with any IT company you’re considering. If they can’t provide one of these vital steps, you may be missing out on a key component of information security as a whole.
Information Security: When All the Planning in the World Isn’t Enough
No matter how proactive you are about your information security needs or how many walls of protection you have up against attackers, there will always be a level of threat. That’s because one of the biggest reasons hackers and malware are able to exploit so many businesses is that they make it a point to find new, innovative ways into even the most secure systems. Whether they’re doing it for the challenge or to exploit businesses known for their great security, the outcome is that all companies are in danger of being infiltrated by methods even the best IT professionals have never even considered.
Consider the following scenario:
A company does everything in its power to maintain a cutting-edge vulnerability management plan. Their IT department runs regular scans, patches the necessary holes, and does and annual overhaul of the entire system. They comply with all regulations for information security and have a great national reputation. However, a previously unknown weakness is exploited by a hacker, and all of their client information is now in the hands of identity thieves.
The problem with this scenario is not a lack of planning – the company did everything within its legal responsibilities to keep their system secure. However, what they didn’t do was prepare for zero-day exploits, which are those pesky new ways in that hackers and malware discover while you’re busy running your business.
That’s why the best vulnerability management plans are those that take zero-day exploits into account. By increasing the level of system monitoring and putting an emergency plan in place, you can minimize the damages that may occur when this sort of attack occurs. Businesses can also create a security infrastructure that makes it difficult for attackers to navigate the system or find the information they’re looking for once they are inside.
Because this kind of security planning can be more complicated and in-depth than what your IT staff is accustomed to (or able to fit into the workday), IT consultants are a great option. Not only can you put your security in the hands of someone whose sole job it is to protect your company, but you’re hiring a group of professionals who make it their priority to know what’s coming next on the hacking horizon.
IT Consultants Look at the Big Picture
If you’re a large corporation or a company with a strong technology focus, hiring an IT consultant might seem like a wasted expense. After all, you’ve got all the experience and training you need to implement an effective vulnerability management plan right on site.
However, one of the drawbacks of relying on your own expertise to tackle all your information security needs is that you often bypass one of the most important steps in vulnerability management: looking at the big picture.
Your business is an organic, flexible entity that grows and changes. Because IT provides much of the backbone of the business, it’s important that it remains organic and flexible, as well. Part of doing this means being able to assess what types of vulnerability issues pose a threat beyond the immediate and obvious security issues: you need to be able to make assessments based on the future of your organization and the nature of information technology as it stands both today and tomorrow.
For example, most businesses will prioritize vulnerability issues based on immediacy: which ones are the most important for safety issues right now. While this is going to be a good idea nine times out of ten, there are situations in which keeping all your focus in one area is going to adversely affect your business operations.
Most of the time, companies have to keep in mind such issues as federal compliance issues, threat relevance, business value, exploitability, and impact. Many of these issues can be found on the Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) scale.
An IT consultant helps by creating a number of what-if scenarios for you. This way, instead of following a rote chart of immediacy, you’re keeping practical business solutions into mind. You can weight the pros and cons of all your options so that your resources are being put to use in the best way possible.
Vulnerability Management: Beyond Patching
Much of the time, businesses associate vulnerability management with patching and other types of IT repairs. To an extent, this is true; a large part of protecting your network against potential damages is to find the holes in your system and repair them.
However, patching is really only a temporary IT solution. Over time, continually relying on patches can start to wear on a system to the point where the solution becomes a problem of its own. It’s a lot like a favorite pair of jeans. One or two holes can be fixed with a needle and threat or funky patch, but there comes a point where your original pants are all but gone, and what you’re looking at is a collection of mismatched repair jobs.
There are a number of reasons why this might provide a strain on your system – and your bottom line.
- Some patches aren’t adequate to fix an entire problem. They may provide an immediate solution, but without follow-through work, the hole might simply reappear.
- Patches typically work for one issue only. You might be required to install several patches for several different holes; this is neither time-effective nor cost-effective in the long run.
- Your entire system can be burdened by “over-patching.” Instead of one, streamlined system, you’re relying on a bulky system that may require additional time for processing data.
- Relying on patches means you stop looking at the bigger picture - a good, well-working system. Instead of spending a few hours every week addressing problems on your out-of-date system, you could upgrade your network and let your system operate at its maximum potential.
System patches do have a time and a place in IT vulnerability management – they can secure your system and let you get back to the job you do best. However, if you find yourself spending more than a few hours a month addressing patches, or if your system hasn’t been upgraded (or checked by an IT professional) in a year, it might be time to readdress your vulnerability management plan.
I’ve Done an Information Security Scan. Now What?
Most companies already know that doing regular information security scans is good business. After all, by being proactive with your IT network, you can find weaknesses before they are exploited by hackers, malware, or simply overuse by legitimate customers. However, part of using information security scans effectively means doing more than getting that regular update: it also means doing something about it.
Vulnerability scanners and other information security scans have become a common part of almost any company that deals with technology and communication. Today’s most popular scans are faster, more accurate, and more effective at finding weaknesses than ever before – and they can be implemented by the most rudimentary IT staff.
However, one of the biggest problems with these information scans is that they only solve half of the problem. They are adept at discovering weaknesses and problems, and alerting you to them. They are not programmed to actually deal with these problems or even tell you how to go about doing it on your own.
That’s why any good vulnerability management plan will help you determine not only where your weaknesses are, but what you can do about them. For example, you will need to determine:
- How important/dangerous are each of the scan findings and how to prioritize them accordingly.
- What types of remediation strategies are available, and which ones are the best fit for you.
- How to patch, reconfigure, or upgrade your network to “fix” the problems determined by the scan.
- What the next steps are in keeping the system secure and up-to-date.
That’s why many companies turn to IT consultants or professional IT firms that specialize in vulnerability management for help. While it certainly is possible (and cost-effective) for companies to run their own information security scans, it can really help to have that professional guidance to make sure all the findings are addressed appropriately. In this way, information scanning is a lot like breaking a bone; while the x-ray technician may be great at discovering where the problem lies, you really want the doctor to set the bone. It’s the only way to heal properly and efficiently.
Understanding Information Security Scans
Information security scans are programs that search your IT network for areas that might need repairs, changes, or other alterations to strengthen your system. There are a variety of different types of scans, and many businesses rely on a combination of features to get the most out of their vulnerability management program.
When choosing or working with your IT department to determine what kind of information security scan will work best for you, you’ll need to consider the following:
- Automation – Some information security scans can be set to run automatically on a weekly, monthly, or quarterly basis. Like most types of virus protection, these scans will alert you to any weaknesses or damages so that you can make the proper repairs. They are also similar to virus protection software options in that running the scan can slow down your operating systems.
- Penetration Testing – Penetration testing is basically your way of becoming a “hacker” into your own system. Your goal is to find a way in – only instead of getting in to do damages, you want to find the doors and effectively seal them off against future attacks.
- Data Compilation – Much of the time, the information you get from an information security scan is highly technical and specialized. While some types will allow for automatic repairs, you may need to call in an IT consultant to help you interpret the results and take appropriate actions.
- Regular Reviews – Because the Internet and information technology are always changing, the protective walls you have today might crumble by next month. If you aren’t using an automated scan (or if your automated scan needs an update itself), you might need to implement regular information security reviews into your company policies.
If you’re in any business that works with clients or communicates on a daily basis (and who isn’t?), information security scans are a must-have. There is no better way to ensure compliance with federal and business regulations and to keep your company running as effectively as possible.