What is the purpose of vulnerability scanning?

Vulnerability scanning serves the critical purpose of identifying weaknesses in systems and applications that could be exploited by attackers. This process involves scanning networks, systems, and applications for known vulnerabilities that could potentially be leveraged by malicious actors to gain unauthorized access, steal data, or disrupt services.

The primary goal is to provide organizations with a proactive means to detect and address security gaps before they can be exploited, allowing for timely remediation measures. By identifying these vulnerabilities, organizations can prioritize risk management efforts and strengthen their overall security posture.

While aspects such as removal of malware, compliance verification, and ensuring software updates are important in cybersecurity practices, they do not directly align with the main objective of vulnerability scanning. In essence, vulnerability scanning is fundamentally about identifying and assessing potential entry points for attacks, making it a crucial activity in maintaining cybersecurity defenses.