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An internal scan is conducted within a company’s network to ensure safety inside of the network, while an external scan is completed outside of the company’s network to ensure there are no ways for a hacker to get into the network.
See below to learn all about how internal vulnerability scanning and external vulnerability scanning are different as well as both vital parts of a company’s network security:
External vs. Internal Vulnerability Scans
External Vulnerability Scans Internal Vulnerability Scans
Outside a company’s network Inside a company’s network
Looks for ways hackers might enter, such as IT assets, applications, and ports
More proactive More reactive
Uses external hosts on the network Uses Reconnaissance Network Appliance (RNA) on the network
With external vulnerability scans, while scanning a company’s site, it is possible to ensure that high-traffic sites can be scanned without affecting their performance and to check for open ports in firewalls or other defense systems.
Businesses can also schedule external vulnerability scans to run as often as they’re needed, based on a company’s schedule.
Secure Your External Services: External vulnerability scanning assists in verifying the security state of a company’s external services.
Weaknesses In External Networks: External vulnerability scans scan weaknesses in external networks that could lead to cybercrime.
Shows Most Important Threats: External vulnerability scanning shows the most important external threats and vulnerabilities related to a company’s network.
Identifies Weaknesses In Software Or Data: External vulnerability scanning identifies software or data that may show new vulnerabilities or weaknesses in a company.
See more: Simple Guide to Vulnerability Scanning Best Practices
An internal vulnerability scan has full access to the company’s network to show the network vulnerabilities in the network.
Internal vulnerability scans look at the enterprise’s IT infrastructure and security tactics, including employees and third-party vendors that can access the company’s data.
There might be a risk of a “rogue employee” or cybercriminal accessing the network from the inside, said Ryan Cloutier, CISSP, SecurityStudio, a cybersecurity company based in Minnetonka, Minnesota. If this happens, it is best to do an internal vulnerability scan.
Internal scans are helpful when a company needs to have a detailed report of vulnerabilities in their network or to verify patching has happened.
Internal vulnerability scans offer the options of credential and non-credentialed scans.
Looks Into Company Actions: Internal vulnerability scans look into the actions of employees to identify vulnerabilities that could affect critical systems, functions, and operations.
Improving Access And Privilege Permissions: Internal vulnerability scanning helps improve access permissions and privileges for the company
Vulnerability Priority: Internal vulnerability scans identify vulnerabilities in systems and prioritizes vulnerability patching.
Internal Insights: Internal vulnerability scans give insights to improve patch and security management processes.
Patches Vulnerabilities: Internal vulnerability scans fix vulnerabilities to support needed requirements or security standards.
See more: What is Vulnerability Scanning & Why Should You Do It?
Experts say a company should conduct both internal scanning and external vulnerability scanning as often as possible for a business.
For instance, a company that performs internal and external vulnerability scans quarterly or annually may only find “a cybercriminal who only attacks on a quarterly or annual basis,” said Cloutier with SecurityStudio.
“Think about how much can change in your company, and your IT infrastructure, in three months,” says West County Computers in a post.
“If you do not run periodic network vulnerability scans, you could have serious security flaws in your systems for weeks — or months.”
Cybersecurity experts recommend doing both internal scans and external scans to help protect a company’s infrastructure as part of their network security strategy.
See more: 13 Best Vulnerability Scanner Tools
Featured Vulnerability Management Software Solutions IntruderVisit website
Intruder is the top-rated vulnerability scanner. It saves you time by helping prioritize the most critical vulnerabilities, to avoid exposing your systems. Intruder has direct integrations with cloud providers and runs thousands of thorough checks. It will proactively scan your systems for new threats, such as Spring4Shell, giving you peace of mind. Intruder makes it easy to find and fix issues such as misconfigurations, missing patches, application bugs, and more. Try a 14-day free trial.
Learn more about Intruder
GFI LanguardVisit website
GFI Languard has the ability to discover all devices connected to a network, find the gaps or vulnerabilities in the operating systems, web browsers, and third-party software, and then automatically deploy patches to all devices so all endpoints remain secure. It can even provide patch management support for third-party applications. It can also be combined with other modern security tools to make it a powerful tool for cloud infrastructure security.
Learn more about GFI Languard
SaltStack SecOpsVisit website
The Saltstack vulnerability management platform delivers closed-loop, event-driven automation for continuous system compliance and vulnerability remediation. It can identify lapses in compliance with policies and will then deploy automated remediation responses of any vulnerabilities or misconfigurations. Users also have access to a continuously updated repository of industry-validated compliance profiles, each containing extensive issue definitions, scans, and automated remediation actions.
Learn more about SaltStack SecOps
While there are differences between external and internal vulnerability scans, it is recommended to complete both to get the best benefits for your network’s cybersecurity system.
Protecting your business’s data and network is a priority for any organization and internal and external vulnerability scanners can help a company complete that process.
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