Cybersecurity is a crucial aspect of any business in the digital age. Cyberattacks can cause significant damage to a business’s reputation, finances, operations and data. According to a report by IBM, the average cost of a data breach in 2020 was $3.86 million, and the average time to identify and contain a breach was 280 days. 

One of the best ways to prevent cyberattacks and reduce the risk of data breaches is to conduct regular vulnerability scans. A vulnerability scan is a process of identifying and assessing the weaknesses in a system or network that could be exploited by hackers. A vulnerability scan can help a business to: 

• Detect and prioritize the most critical vulnerabilities that need to be fixed 
• Comply with industry standards and regulations such as PCI DSS, HIPAA, GDPR, etc. 
• Enhance the security posture and resilience of the system or network 
• Reduce the likelihood and impact of cyberattacks and data breaches 

However, conducting a vulnerability scan once is not enough. The cybersecurity landscape is constantly evolving, and new threats and vulnerabilities emerge every day. Therefore, it is recommended that businesses conduct vulnerability scans at least quarterly, or more frequently depending on the nature and size of the business. 

By performing quarterly vulnerability scans, a business can: 

• Keep up with the latest threats and vulnerabilities that may affect their system or network 
• Monitor the effectiveness of their security measures and identify any gaps or weaknesses 
• Track and measure their progress and improvement in addressing the vulnerabilities 
• Demonstrate their commitment and responsibility to protect their customers’ data and privacy 

To conduct quarterly vulnerability scans, a business needs to have a clear plan and process that covers the following steps: 

• Define the scope and objectives of the scan, such as which systems or networks to scan, what types of vulnerabilities to look for, what level of detail to report, etc. 
• Choose a reliable and reputable vulnerability scanning tool or service that meets the business’s needs and requirements 
• Schedule and perform the scan at a convenient time that minimizes the disruption to the business’s operations 
• Analyze and interpret the scan results, such as identifying the severity and impact of the vulnerabilities, ranking them by priority, assigning them to responsible parties, etc. 
• Remediate vulnerabilities, such as applying patches, updating software, configuring settings, etc. 
• Document and report the scan findings and actions taken, such as creating a summary report, sharing it with relevant stakeholders, storing it for future reference, etc. 
• Review and evaluate the scan process and outcomes, such as assessing the effectiveness of the scan, identifying any challenges or issues, providing feedback and suggestions for improvement, etc.