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Vulnerability Testing vs. IT Risk Assessment | What They Are and Why They Matter

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Cybercrime is a rapidly growing industry. Experts estimate that cybercrime costs will reach $10.5 trillion annually by 2025. Keeping information safe is essential in light of the growing risks of cybercrime.IT vulnerability testing and risk assessment are two ways to ensure data are secure. These two things might sound similar, but they're actually quite different, with unique goals and methods.For over 25 years, WEBIT Services has built effective cybersecurity procedures for hundreds of clients. It is passionate about using strategy and education to protect its clients.By reading this article, you will learn more about IT vulnerability testing and risk assessments, what they are, how they're used, and how they work.

Understanding IT Vulnerability Testing

IT vulnerability testing finds security weak spots in your IT system. It's like a check-up for your computer systems, networks, and apps. The goal is to find any problems before cybercriminals can use them to do harm.

How IT Vulnerability Testing Works

1. Finding Targets

First, experts decide which technology to test, like computer programs and networks.

2. Scanning

Then, the experts use special tools to scan these things and find any problems.

3. Checking Results

They look at what the tools found and figure out how bad the problems are. Are these vulnerabilities significant or small? Hard to find or easy?

4. Double-Checking

Sometimes, the tools make mistakes, so experts ensure the problems are real. They may run the test a second time to verify the results. If the results are the same, the vulnerability is real and must be addressed.

5. Reporting

Finally, the experts write a report listing all the problems and explaining how to fix them.

Goals of IT Vulnerability Testing

The main goal of vulnerability testing is to find weak points in your digital environment. These weak points could be things like old software or misconfigured tools.By finding and fixing these problems early, experts reduce cybercriminals' opportunities to exploit weaknesses and enter the IT network. This testing helps strengthen IT network security.

Understanding IT Risk Assessment

IT risk assessments look at the risk within your IT system holistically. It's not just about finding problems; it's about understanding how those problems might affect the bigger goals of a company or organization.

How IT Risk Assessment Works

1. Finding Risks

First, experts look for things that could go wrong, like technical issues, outside threats, and things that don't follow the rules.A solid risk assessment is based on a cybersecurity framework like NIST or CIS. If the risk assessment is not based on a framework, it will not be effective.

2. Figuring Out Impact

Experts examine each problem and determine its impact and the likelihood of it happening.For example, a problem with minimal impact and a low likelihood would be ranked much lower than an issue with maximum impact and a high probability of occurring.

3. Putting It Together

Experts combine this information to see which problems are the most serious.

4. Making a Plan

Next, the experts find solutions for the discovered risks. This could mean using new security measures, getting insurance, updating technology, or choosing to accept some risks. Each company must decide its risk appetite and what level of risk it will accept.For instance, a risk assessment may find employees falling for phishing scams. In response, the organization should increase its cybersecurity and anti-phishing training. Over time, this training will reduce risk.Perhaps this risk assessment also reveals that an aging server is a risk. As hardware ages out of its useful lifespan, it creates risk by being unreliable or lacking manufacturer support and security updates.To reduce risk, the organization's IT provider or internal IT team will suggest buying a new server or considering cloud solutions.

5. Keeping Watch

Risk assessments are not a one-time ordeal. Experts continue checking to ensure everything stays safe and update their plans if needed.In fact, risk assessments should be a quarterly occurrence or performed after any significant changes to the business or IT environment.Risk assessment discoveries may lead to new goals, which should be recorded in an IT roadmap.

Goals of IT Risk Assessment

IT risk assessment helps organizations make intelligent decisions about the risks they face. It's not only about technology problems but also how they might affect essential business goals.By figuring out which problems are the most serious and making plans to deal with them, organizations can be ready to face any challenges that come their way.

What are the Differences Between Vulnerability Testing and Risk Assessments?

1. Focus

Vulnerability testing looks for weak points in specific things like computer programs, while risk assessment looks at how different problems could affect the bigger goals of an organization.

2. Goals

Vulnerability testing aims to fix technical problems early, while risk assessment helps organizations make intelligent decisions about all kinds of risks.

3. How They Work

Vulnerability testing uses tools to scan for security vulnerabilities. Risk assessments consider how issues might impact the entire network and the business.

4. Results

Vulnerability testing gives a list of security vulnerabilities and how to fix them. Risk assessment helps organizations make plans to deal with risks.

Next Steps for Your Vulnerability Testing or Risk Assessment

Vulnerability testing and risk assessments are two very different but essential tests to help keep your IT network secure.Vulnerability testing helps us find and fix vulnerabilities within your business technology. Its goal is to find and repair security weaknesses before cybercriminals can exploit them.On the other hand, risk assessments identify risks throughout your IT network, their impact, and their likelihood of occurring. In response, organizations can develop IT strategies to address unacceptable risks.Talk to your IT provider or internal IT team about your most recent vulnerability scan or risk assessment. They should be able to explain your results and the actions taken. If they cannot explain the results, this is a service red flag.In addition, your IT provider or team should follow a cybersecurity framework like CIS or NIST. If they are not, your system is experiencing unnecessary and preventable risks, and it may indicate that your IT partnership is not working as well as it should.WEBIT Services believes knowledge is power, so it is passionate about cybersecurity education and IT strategy.If you're ready to discuss security frameworks and risk assessments for your business, schedule a free 30-minute consultation with WEBIT.If you're not ready to talk to our team of experts, we recommend the following articles on cybersecurity:

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