Vulnerability Scanner Statistics, Trends And Facts 2023

Vulnerability scanners are tools used by security professionals to identify security weaknesses in computer systems, networks, and applications.

They play a crucial role in maintaining the security of IT infrastructure and protecting sensitive data from cyberattacks.

In this blog post, we will dive into the world of vulnerability scanners and explore statistics related to their usage, effectiveness, and impact on cybersecurity.

Importance of Vulnerability Scanners

Vulnerability Scanning for Network Security

• Vulnerability scanning is an essential part of network security, as it helps identify vulnerabilities that could be exploited by cybercriminals.
• In a survey of cybersecurity professionals, 89% said vulnerability management was essential to their organization’s cybersecurity strategy.
• According to a study by the Ponemon Institute, 60% of cyber attacks were carried out using vulnerabilities for which a patch was available but not applied.
• The average cost of a data breach caused by a vulnerability is $3.86 million.
• Vulnerability scanning is essential for compliance with regulations such as HIPAA, PCI DSS, and GDPR.

Vulnerability Scanning for Web Applications

• Web applications are a common target for cyber attacks, making vulnerability scanning essential for web application security.
• The average web application has 22.4 vulnerabilities.
• The most common vulnerabilities found in web applications are cross-site scripting (XSS) and SQL injection.
• In a survey of cybersecurity professionals, 82% said web application security was critical to their organization’s cybersecurity strategy.
• Vulnerability scanning for web applications is essential for compliance with regulations such as OWASP, PCI DSS, and GDPR.

Vulnerability Scanning for Cloud Security

• Cloud environments are becoming increasingly popular, making vulnerability scanning essential for cloud security.
• According to a survey by IDC, 70% of organizations will have implemented a multi-cloud strategy by 2021.
• The most common vulnerabilities found in cloud environments are misconfigured storage buckets, vulnerable APIs, and weak passwords.
• In a survey of cybersecurity professionals, 73% said cloud security was essential to their organization’s cybersecurity strategy.
• Vulnerability scanning for cloud environments is essential for compliance with regulations such as AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud Platform.

Vulnerability Scanning for IoT Security

• The Internet of Things (IoT) presents a unique challenge for cybersecurity, making vulnerability scanning essential for IoT security.
• The average IoT device has 25 vulnerabilities.
• The most common vulnerabilities found in IoT devices are weak passwords, unencrypted communications, and insecure software/firmware.
• In a survey of cybersecurity professionals, 81% said IoT security was essential to their organization’s cybersecurity strategy.
• Vulnerability scanning for IoT devices is essential for compliance with regulations such as the IoT Cybersecurity Improvement Act.

Types of Vulnerability Scanners

1. Network vulnerability scanners are the most common type of scanner used by organizations to identify vulnerabilities in their networks.
2. Web application vulnerability scanners are specifically designed to identify vulnerabilities in web applications and websites.
3. Mobile application vulnerability scanners are used to identify vulnerabilities in mobile applications.

Vulnerability Scanner Features

1. Automatic scanning: Most vulnerability scanners can automatically scan systems and networks for vulnerabilities without any user intervention.
2. Reporting: Vulnerability scanners provide detailed reports that help security teams identify and fix vulnerabilities quickly.
3. Remediation guidance: Some vulnerability scanners provide remediation guidance, which helps security teams prioritize and fix vulnerabilities efficiently.
4. Integration: Vulnerability scanners can integrate with other security tools, such as security information and event management (SIEM) systems, to provide a comprehensive security solution.

Vulnerability Scanner Benefits

1. Vulnerability scanners help organizations identify and fix vulnerabilities quickly, reducing the risk of data breaches and cyberattacks.
2. Vulnerability scanners can help organizations save time and money by automating the vulnerability scanning process.
3. Vulnerability scanners can improve compliance with regulations by identifying and addressing vulnerabilities that could lead to non-compliance.

Vulnerability Scanner Limitations

1. Vulnerability scanners can produce false positives, which are results that suggest a vulnerability exists when there isn’t one.
2. Vulnerability scanners cannot identify all types of vulnerabilities, such as those that require manual testing or exploitation.
3. Vulnerability scanners cannot provide a comprehensive security solution on their own, as they need to be used in conjunction with other security tools and practices.

Vulnerability Scanner Adoption

1. According to a survey, 58% of organizations use vulnerability scanners as part of their cybersecurity strategy.
2. Small businesses are less likely to use vulnerability scanners than large enterprises, with only 31% of small businesses using vulnerability scanners compared to 61% of large enterprises.
3. The global vulnerability assessment market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 12.5% from 2020 to 2025.

Vulnerability Scanner Trends

1. Artificial intelligence and machine learning are being incorporated into vulnerability scanners, allowing them to identify and prioritize vulnerabilities more accurately.
2. Cloud-based vulnerability scanners are becoming more popular, as they offer more scalability and flexibility compared to on-premise vulnerability scanners.
3. Integrated vulnerability management platforms are being developed, which combine vulnerability scanning with other security tools such as SIEM and threat intelligence.

Vulnerability Scanner Best Practices

1. Regular vulnerability scanning is essential for maintaining a secure system and network.
2. Vulnerability scanners should be configured properly to minimize false positives and false negatives.
3. Vulnerability scanning should be integrated into the organization’s overall cybersecurity strategy.
4. Vulnerability scanning results should be analyzed and acted upon promptly to ensure vulnerabilities are fixed in a timely manner.

Vulnerability Scanning Tools

Types of Vulnerability Scanning Tools

• Vulnerability scanning tools can be categorized into two types: network vulnerability scanners and web application scanners.
• Network vulnerability scanners are used to scan for vulnerabilities in network infrastructure, such as routers, switches, and servers.
• Web application scanners are used to scan for vulnerabilities in web applications, such as XSS, SQL injection, and CSRF.
• Some vulnerability scanning tools can scan both network infrastructure and web applications.
• The most popular vulnerability scanning tools include Nessus, OpenVAS, Qualys, and Rapid7.

Vulnerability Scanning vs. Penetration Testing

• Vulnerability scanning and penetration testing are often confused, but they serve different purposes.
• Vulnerability scanning is an automated process of identifying and categorizing vulnerabilities in a system or network.

Conclusion

vulnerability scanners are essential tools for maintaining the security of IT systems in today’s threat landscape. The statistics outlined in this article demonstrate the importance and effectiveness of vulnerability scanners for identifying and fixing security weaknesses before they can be exploited by attackers.