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Network Vulnerability Assessment Services

Network Vulnerability Assessments (NVA)

At Tanner Security Consultants, we specialize in providing thorough and ongoing network vulnerability assessments to uncover common threats such as outdated server OS versions, insecure server settings, default login credentials, unencrypted network protocols, excessive user account access, and recently discovered Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE). Our services include Internal Network Vulnerability Assessments (NVA) and External Network Vulnerability Assessments, each tailored to address specific network security scan needs.

Network vulnerability scans are a compliance requirement (PCI DSS, HIPAA, ISO 27001, NISA, and GDPR), and vulnerability management is required for an effective Cybersecurity program.

A Network Vulnerability Assessment (NVA) is a way to find these vulnerabilities before they lead to security problems. These assessments help businesses spot outdated software, missing patches, insecure settings, exposed services, weak passwords, and other issues that could increase the likelihood of a cyberattack.

At Tanner Security, we offer ongoing Network Vulnerability Assessment Services to help businesses clearly understand their network security. We use trusted scanning tools and expert analysis, so your IT team gets more than just a list of automated results. You receive an action oriented report with the vulnerabilities listed out by IP address.

We focus on finding important vulnerabilities, explaining the risks, and giving practical advice to help your business get more secure over time.

Network Vulnerability Assessment Services

What Is a Network Vulnerability Assessment?

A Network Vulnerability Assessment is a process for identifying, analyzing, prioritizing, and reporting security vulnerabilities across network-connected systems.

The assessment uses specialized vulnerability scanning tools to examine systems for known vulnerabilities, outdated software, insecure configurations, exposed services, weak security settings, and other conditions that an attacker could exploit.

Automated scans cover a lot, but they are just one part of the assessment. Security experts need to review the results, check for errors, understand your environment, and decide which issues are the most serious for your business.

Tanner Security uses both automated tools and expert analysis to help businesses turn technical findings into real security improvements.

Why Businesses Need Regular Vulnerability Assessments

A network is never static. New systems are deployed, software is updated, employees and user accounts change, cloud services are added, and vendors establish new connections. Vulnerabilities are also continuously discovered in operating systems, applications, network devices, and third-party software.

A network that was safe a few months ago might have new security problems today.

That’s why managing vulnerabilities should be an ongoing process, not just a one-time project. Regular assessments give you an updated view of your security and help your IT team find new issues before attackers do.

Tanner Security found over 10,000 vulnerabilities in just one year, showing how many security issues can exist in today’s business environments.

For many businesses, doing vulnerability assessments every month helps keep track of changing network risks. The right schedule depends on your company’s needs, risk level, and compliance rules.

Our Network Vulnerability Assessment Methodology

We start every project by talking with you to learn about your business, technology, security goals, and concerns. Then, we work together to decide which systems, networks, applications, and IP addresses will be included in the assessment.

After we set the scope, our consultants use custom developed tools and proven methods to scan for vulnerabilities. The assessment can cover internal systems, external infrastructure, servers, computers, network devices, and other approved technology.

Once scanning is done, our security experts review and rank the results. We don’t just look at scanner scores, we also consider how easy it is to exploit the issues, which systems are affected, how important they are, and what could happen if an attack succeeds.

Our final report gives enough detail for technical teams but is still easy for executives and business leaders to understand. Tanner Security clients also get direct access to an experienced Information Security Analyst who can explain the findings, discuss solutions, and answer any questions.

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Internal Network Vulnerability Assessments

An Internal Network Vulnerability Assessment evaluates systems accessible from within your business network.

Internal assessments help find vulnerabilities in servers, computers, network devices, applications, and other systems inside your network. These weaknesses are especially risky if an attacker has already gotten in through phishing, stolen passwords, malware, a hacked device, or a malicious insider.

The goal of internal vulnerability scanning is to find weaknesses that could let an attacker go further into your network, break into more systems, or get to sensitive data.

Internal assessments also help IT teams spot outdated systems, missing updates, insecure services, and ongoing setup problems that might otherwise be missed.

What Vulnerabilities Can a Network Assessment Identify?

Every network is unique, but vulnerability assessments often find outdated operating systems, missing patches, old software, insecure settings, exposed services, weak protocols, default passwords, and known Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs).

Assessments can also spot patterns across many systems. For example, the same old software might be on dozens of servers, or a setup problem could affect a whole group of devices.

Finding these patterns helps businesses fix the root cause instead of treating each system as a separate problem.

It is my pleasure to highly recommend Tanner Security Consultants.  As a company dealing with large-scale construction projects, ensuring the safety and integrity of our digital infrastructure is crucial to our operations. Tanner Security Consultants not only met but exceeded all of our expectations.

Jeff M. – Chief Information Officer

Vulnerability Assessment Reporting That Your IT Team Can Use

One major downside of automated vulnerability scanning is the huge amount of information it can create. In a big environment, you might get hundreds or thousands of results, making it hard to know what to fix first.

Tanner Security makes sure assessment results are clear and actionable.

Our reports include an executive summary, vulnerabilities, severity ratings, risk patterns, details for each system, and a prioritized action plan. This helps technical teams know what to fix and gives leaders a clear view of the risks.

Instead of just telling you about a vulnerability, we explain why it matters and what your team should do next.

Network Vulnerability Assessments and Compliance

Vulnerability management is an important component of many cybersecurity and compliance programs. Vulnerability scanning can support a variety of cybersecurity and compliance programs, including PCI DSS, HIPAA, ISO 27001, NIST-based security programs, NCUA, CMMC, and customer security requirements.

However, a vulnerability assessment should not be treated as a substitute for every other security activity. Depending on your business and regulatory requirements, you may also need penetration testing, risk assessments, IT audits, access reviews, policy development, incident response planning, and ongoing SIEM monitoring.

Tanner Security can help you see how vulnerability assessments fit into your overall cybersecurity and compliance plans.

Network Vulnerability Assessment vs. Penetration Testing

Network Vulnerability Assessment vs. Penetration Testing

Network Vulnerability Assessments and penetration tests work well together, but they answer different security questions.

A vulnerability assessment uses automated scans to find and rank known vulnerabilities across your network. The goal is to cover as much as possible and keep an ongoing view of possible weaknesses.

A penetration test is more focused. Security experts try to exploit vulnerabilities to show what a real attacker could do. The goal is to test attack paths, see if attackers can gain more access, move around the network, and understand the possible business impact.

In simple terms, a vulnerability assessment asks:

“What vulnerabilities exist?”

A penetration test asks:

“Can an attacker exploit these weaknesses, and what could they accomplish?”

For many businesses, the best security programs include both regular vulnerability assessments and occasional penetration tests.

Why Choose Tanner Security?

Tanner Security has specialized in network vulnerability assessments and penetration testing for over ten years, working with some of the largest companies in the area.

We use advanced scanning tools and experienced security professionals to analyze results and give practical advice. Clients can talk directly with an Information Security Analyst about the findings and recommended actions.

We customize each assessment for your business, rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach. This way, the report is useful whether it’s read by an IT admin, security manager, executive, or board member.

Why Choose Tanner Security?

At Tanner Security Consultants, our experienced team uses cutting-edge tools and methodologies to deliver comprehensive and accurate assessments. We provide detailed reports with actionable recommendations to enhance network security and ensure continuous protection against evolving threats.

  • Expertise: Our team of certified security professionals has extensive experience conducting thorough vulnerability assessments and penetration tests.
  • Customized Solutions: We tailor our services to meet your needs, ensuring the most relevant and effective security measures.
  • Ongoing Support: In addition to initial assessments, we offer continuous monitoring and regular reassessments to keep your network secure over time.

Related Cybersecurity Services

Network vulnerability assessments are just one part of a complete cybersecurity program. Tanner Security also offers other services to help your business find, confirm, and manage technology risks.

Network Penetration Testing takes security testing a step further by attempting to exploit vulnerabilities and demonstrate real-world attack paths.

IT Risk Assessments evaluate technology risks from a broader business perspective and help leadership prioritize cybersecurity investments.

Microsoft 365 Security Reviews evaluate identity, access, cloud configuration, and security controls within Microsoft 365 environments.

Cloud Risk Assessments evaluate security risks across AWS, Microsoft Azure, Microsoft 365, Google Cloud, and hybrid environments.

IT Audit Services provide an independent evaluation of IT governance, processes, and security controls.

Together, these services give you a fuller picture of your company’s cybersecurity and help turn separate findings into a coordinated risk management plan.

Network Vulnerability Assessment FAQ's

A Network Vulnerability Assessment (NVA) is a systematic evaluation of network-connected systems designed to identify known vulnerabilities, outdated software, insecure configurations, exposed services, and other security weaknesses

The purpose is to identify IT security weaknesses before attackers exploit them, prioritize remediation efforts, and provide leadership with a clearer understanding of the company’s technology risk. Refer to the Is your business spending too much on cybersecurity to understand the importance of NVA’s.

The terms are often used interchangeably, but a vulnerability scan generally refers to the automated technical scanning process. A full vulnerability assessment includes analysis, validation, prioritization, reporting, and remediation guidance.

A vulnerability assessment identifies potential security weaknesses across a broad environment. A penetration test goes further by attempting to exploit vulnerabilities and demonstrate what an attacker could accomplish. You can read more about the differences between external penetration test vs network vulnerability assessments in the following blog post.

Most businesses benefit from both. Internal scanning identifies weaknesses within systems accessible from the corporate network, while external scanning evaluates systems and services exposed to the internet.

The appropriate frequency depends on the size and risk profile of the business. Many companies perform network vulnerability assessments monthly or quarterly, with additional assessments after significant technology changes or newly discovered critical vulnerabilities.

A business network changes continuously, and new vulnerabilities are discovered every day. Monthly network vulnerability assessments provide ongoing visibility rather than relying on a snapshot of the network from months earlier.

Depending on the engagement, assessments can include servers, workstations, network appliances, firewalls, routers, switches, virtual machines, cloud-connected systems, and other network infrastructure.

Yes. Depending on the technology and scanning methodology, assessments can identify certain insecure configurations, exposed services, weak protocols, default credentials, and other configuration weaknesses.

Automated vulnerability scanners primarily identify known vulnerabilities and observable security weaknesses. They cannot reliably identify every previously unknown vulnerability, which is one reason penetration testing and other security testing methods remain important. Zero-day vulnerabilities are outlined in this post.

Yes. Vulnerability assessments can support vulnerability management and security requirements associated with frameworks and standards such as CIS, PCI, HIPAA, ISO 27001, CMMC, and NIST. The exact assessment requirements depend on the applicable framework and business circumstances.

Reports include information such as an executive summary, identified vulnerabilities, severity assessments, risk patterns, host-level risk information, and prioritized remediation recommendations. Clients also have access to an experienced Information Security Analyst for questions about findings and recommended actions.

The timeline depends on the size and complexity of the environment and the scope of testing. The scanning itself may be completed relatively quickly, but analysis and reporting require additional time to ensure findings are accurately reviewed and prioritized.

Network Vulnerability Assessment vs. Network Security Scan: What's the Difference?

The terms Network Vulnerability Assessment and Network Security Scan are often used interchangeably to describe similar services, but the scope of work can differ between providers.

A network security scan generally refers to the technical process of scanning systems for known vulnerabilities, exposed services, outdated software, and configuration weaknesses. It primarily focuses on identifying potential security issues.

A Network Vulnerability Assessment includes that scanning activity but adds analysis, risk prioritization, reporting, and remediation guidance. The objective is not merely to produce scanner output but to help the business understand which vulnerabilities are most important and how to address them.

A useful analogy is to compare a security scan to taking a photograph of a building’s security weaknesses, while a vulnerability assessment is like having a security professional examine that photograph, inspect the findings, determine which issues are most dangerous, and provide a prioritized repair plan.

For businesses that want useful security information rather than a raw scanner report, the quality of analysis and remediation guidance is just as important as the scanning technology itself.

Tanner's Network Vulnerability Assessment Approach

Our approach to vulnerability assessment is grounded in providing actionable insights to our customers, irrespective of their technical expertise. Unlike traditional “vulnerability scans,” which generate lengthy and sometimes generic reports, we aim to deliver detailed yet concise reports highlighting identified risks and providing comprehensive recommendations tailored to your network.

Our clients have direct access to seasoned Information Security Analysts who can address any inquiries you may have regarding your report, identified vulnerabilities, or recommended remediation actions. At Tanner Security Consultants, our commitment is to fortify your network’s security and provide you with the expertise needed to effectively navigate the ever-evolving landscape of cyber threats.

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