Assessing Security Vulnerabilities in Critical Applications
Question
A Chief Information Officer (CIO) recently saw on the news that a significant security flaws exists with a specific version of a technology the company uses to support many critical application.
The CIO wants to know if this reported vulnerability exists in the organization and, if so, to what extent the company could be harmed.
Which of the following would BEST provide the needed information?
Answers
Explanations
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A. B. C. D.A.
The BEST option to provide the needed information to the Chief Information Officer (CIO) about the potential vulnerability is a vulnerability scan.
A vulnerability scan is an automated process of identifying security weaknesses in the network, systems, and applications. It examines the company's IT environment to detect any known security vulnerabilities that could be exploited by cyber attackers. Vulnerability scanning software identifies weaknesses in the technology versions being used and provides a report to the CIO to help them identify the risks and plan an appropriate response.
A penetration test, on the other hand, is a simulated attack on the company's IT environment to identify vulnerabilities that could be exploited by cyber attackers. While this option may provide valuable insights, it may not be the most efficient or cost-effective method for determining the extent of the vulnerability. Penetration testing is typically more expensive and time-consuming than vulnerability scanning, and the results may be more difficult to interpret.
Active reconnaissance involves gathering information about a network or system by actively probing it, attempting to access services and applications, and using other reconnaissance techniques. However, this method is typically only used by malicious actors, and is not recommended for use by the company to assess their own security posture.
A patching assessment report is useful to help determine if existing patches and updates have been installed and implemented to address known security vulnerabilities. However, it may not provide a comprehensive view of the company's security posture or the extent of the vulnerability.
In summary, the best option for the CIO to determine the extent of the vulnerability and potential harm to the company is a vulnerability scan.
