Understanding the activities within your network is essential to ensure that systems and devices operate optimally. To achieve this, it is necessary to perform network scans, regularly auditing your network to identify vulnerabilities that may need immediate attention from your IT team.
What is Network Scanning?
To ensure smooth troubleshooting, it’s essential to identify the root causes of your technical issues. Network scanning is a key tool in achieving this understanding, revealing the devices on your network, their performance, and the traffic flowing between them.
This process involves the use of a tool or agent that sends a packet or ping to the network and receives a response, determining the status of applications or devices.
ad
Network scans fall into two main categories:
- Passive network scanning: This method monitors data packets moving through the network to detect any irregularities.
- Active network scanning: This approach uses pings or packets to actively search for specific abnormalities within the network.
These categories further break down into different types of network scans.
What are the Types of Network Scans?
Your organization has the option to utilize three distinct types of network scans: external vulnerability scans, full assessment scans, and penetration tests.
1. External Vulnerability Scan
External vulnerability scans primarily inform you about potential openings for hackers.
This particular network scan focuses on identifying vulnerabilities in your network firewalls, where external threats could potentially infiltrate and launch attacks. It addresses queries such as:
- Do you have any vulnerabilities in your Internet of Things (IoT) devices?
- Are there open ports on your firewall?
- Are some of your PCs inadequately patched and visible on the internet?
The External Vulnerability Scan essentially provides answers to these questions and offers a perspective on your network from a hacker’s point of view.
2. Full-assessment Scan
The full-assessment scan enables you to evaluate all network devices, including computers, printers, servers, and other devices identified by the network IP address.
Furthermore, it provides information on the security status of user accounts, detailing the last login time and identifying machines that were not patched correctly.
Additionally, the full-assessment scan identifies other vulnerabilities such as the absence of antivirus programs or the presence of outdated ones.
3. Penetration Test
Penetration testing is an extension of external vulnerability scanning.
This type of test identifies vulnerabilities and, with the client’s or prospect’s authorization, goes beyond the external layer to enter the network intentionally. It involves penetrating the network, bypassing the outer defenses, and exploring the data it can access, the devices it could potentially take control of, and assessing the potential risks for the client or prospect.
Why do businesses need to get their networks scanned?
Managing the availability and functionality of your network has become increasingly challenging with the constant influx and departure of hundreds of devices. This is why companies are strongly advised to conduct regular network scans, and these reasons extend beyond security concerns.
Now, why is it essential for businesses like yours to have their networks scanned?
1. It gives you peace of mind.
Suppose you’re engaged with an IT support provider, and every time you seek updates, they consistently reassure you with statements like “everything is great” or “you have nothing to worry about.”
Despite your prolonged positive experience with them, there are instances when you feel the need to cross-verify their reports against actual results, ensuring that nothing is amiss—or will go awry.
Regular network scanning is the solution to this. It allows you to confirm that you have the necessary security measures in place for sustained productivity and protection.
2. It helps provide an accurate proposal before onboarding.
When initiating a partnership with a new Managed IT Service Provider (MSP), a network scan proves beneficial for both parties by preemptively addressing unforeseen obstacles during the onboarding process.
This scan assists your provider in crafting an appropriate security solution tailored to the number of users on your network. It also aids in establishing accurate pricing, as the correct quotation hinges on the initial assessment.
Conducting a network scan enables your MSP to ascertain the precise quantity of computers, servers, and data they need to safeguard, facilitating the formulation of a precise proposal.
Neglecting a network scan before onboarding could lead to various complications. For instance, if you join the service and your MSP discovers that you actually have double the number of computers, servers, or data than initially indicated, it could pose significant challenges to your data security and budget.
3. It highlights potential security issues during onboarding.
Conducting a network scan can promptly bring attention to potential security issues that require addressing during the onboarding process—issues that you, as the client, may not be aware of.
As Catron pointed out, a client might claim to have twenty computers, but a network scan could reveal seven machines still operating on Windows 7 that they weren’t aware of. With a network scan, the service provider can advise the client to proactively prepare for replacements even before the full onboarding process. This proactive approach not only readies clients for addressing unforeseen issues but also assists them in budgeting for necessary upgrades, such as replacing outdated machines.
FAQ’s
What is network scanning, and why is it essential for troubleshooting technical issues?
Network scanning is a crucial tool for identifying the root causes of technical problems. It involves using a tool or agent to send packets or pings to the network, revealing the status of applications and devices. This process helps understand device performance and traffic flow within the network.
What are the main categories of network scans, and how do they differ?
Network scans fall into two main categories:
- Passive network scanning: Monitors data packets for irregularities.
- Active network scanning: Actively searches for specific abnormalities using pings or packets.
These categories further break down into different types of network scans.
What are the types of network scans an organization can deploy?
Organizations can utilize three types of network scans:
- External Vulnerability Scan: Identifies potential openings for hackers, focusing on network firewalls and addressing vulnerabilities such as open ports and inadequately patched PCs.
- Full-assessment Scan: Evaluates all network devices, provides security status for user accounts, and identifies vulnerabilities like outdated antivirus programs.
- Penetration Test: Goes beyond external vulnerability scanning, intentionally penetrating the network to identify vulnerabilities, assess potential risks, and explore data access.
Why do businesses need to conduct network scans?
Conducting regular network scans is crucial for several reasons:
- Peace of Mind: Ensures that the network is secure, providing peace of mind for businesses and clients.
- Accurate Proposal: Helps MSPs provide precise security solutions and accurate pricing during onboarding.
- Highlighting Security Issues: Identifies potential security issues during onboarding, allowing proactive preparation for replacements and upgrades.
How does network scanning contribute to peace of mind for businesses working with IT support providers?
Network scanning enables businesses to cross-verify reassurances from IT support providers, confirming the effectiveness of existing security measures and ensuring sustained productivity and protection.
How does a network scan assist in providing an accurate proposal before onboarding with a Managed IT Service Provider (MSP)?
A network scan helps MSPs craft tailored security solutions and establish accurate pricing by assessing the number of users, devices, and data that need protection, ensuring a precise proposal.
What complications can arise if a network scan is neglected before onboarding with an MSP?
Neglecting a network scan before onboarding can lead to complications such as discovering discrepancies in the number of computers, servers, or data, posing challenges to data security and budget.
How does network scanning contribute to highlighting potential security issues during the onboarding process?
Network scanning promptly brings attention to potential security issues during onboarding that clients may not be aware of, allowing proactive preparation for replacements and budgeting for necessary upgrades.
Conclusion
Regular network scanning is crucial for maintaining optimal functionality and security in the ever-evolving landscape of network management. From identifying vulnerabilities to offering proactive solutions, network scans provide businesses with peace of mind, accurate onboarding proposals, and heightened security awareness. Embracing this proactive measure is essential for building a resilient foundation in the face of technological advancements, ensuring sustained productivity and protection in the digital world.
ad
Comments are closed.