How is vulnerability scanning conducted?

Vulnerability scanning is primarily conducted using automated tools to identify security gaps within systems and networks. These tools are designed to systematically assess a wide range of potential vulnerabilities, such as outdated software, misconfigurations, and known security flaws. Automated scanning allows for efficient and thorough checks across multiple systems without requiring extensive manual effort. This approach ensures that organizations can quickly identify and prioritize vulnerabilities that need remediation, enhancing overall security posture.

While manually testing each system for weaknesses can also uncover vulnerabilities, it is typically more time-consuming and may not provide comprehensive coverage across the entire environment. Analyzing network traffic is a valuable activity for monitoring real-time security incidents but does not specifically identify vulnerabilities within systems. Reviewing compliance documentation is important for understanding regulatory requirements and assessing adherence to standards, but it does not directly identify technical vulnerabilities in the environment. Therefore, the use of automated tools for scanning is the most effective and efficient method for vulnerability assessment.