The importance of data and system security should not be underestimated if you operate a website. One way to do this is by vulnerability scanning your web applications.

In this article, we'll discuss what vulnerability scanning is, its importance, and some features to look for when choosing a vulnerability scanning service. We'll investigate some of the best vulnerability scanning services available. So whether you're just starting out or you're looking for an upgrade, read on for all the information you need!

What Is Vulnerability Scanning for Web Applications?

Vulnerability scanning of web applications is the process of identifying and assessing security vulnerabilities within a web application. This can be done by automated vulnerability scanners that use a set of rules to detect potential security issues or manual vulnerability testing. Vulnerability scanners are essential for any website as they help to find and fix common issues such as cross-site scripting and SQL injection.

Top Vulnerability Scanning Services

• Astra’s Pentest
• Qualys
• Acunetix
• Intruder
• Veracode

Importance of Vulnerability Scanning

Vulnerability scanning is important because it helps you identify and address any potential security issues with your web application before they are exploited. Avoid severe consequences by taking proactive measures to identify and fix vulnerabilities in your system. This not only protects your data but also reduces the risk of financial loss or reputation damage that could result from a successful attack.

Benefits Of Vulnerability Scanning

• Identify security vulnerabilities
• Prevent malicious attacks
• Improve system performance
• Avoid financial loss or reputation damage
• Help meet compliance requirements
• Ensure data integrity
• Save time and money by identifying issues early on
• Reduce the risk of data theft/loss of sensitive information 
• Provide detailed reports with vulnerability descriptions, severity levels, and exploitation details
• Include recommendations to fix the vulnerability.

Important Features To Consider When Choosing A Vulnerability Scanning Service

Vulnerability scanners are helpful tools that can check your system for any loopholes or weaknesses. This type of software is beneficial because it automatically provides users with suggestions for fixes and progress tracking.

1. The scanner should be able to integrate into your CI/CD pipeline

By having a web application vulnerability scanner as part of your CI/CD, you can automatically scan for vulnerabilities every time there is new code to deploy. This works along with the usually automated scans that occur on a schedule. It's essential because it helps prevent possible security breaches and weaknesses from occurring in the first place.

2. All you need is one centralized location to manage everything

A well-crafted dashboard will help you at every step of managing vulnerabilities. This way, you can track and manage information from a single location. More specifically, you should be able to

• Prioritize vulnerabilities
• Most effectively asset patching 
• Deploy security controls
• Update their statuses
• Have a discussion with security experts about the concerns  

3. The vulnerability reports should be useful and provide a clear plan of action

A vulnerability scanning report is only useful if it's easily understood and practical. A threat scanner that offers risk scores and video footage of the vulnerabilities will be much more useful to you in the long run.

4. Making compliance easier is one of the key benefits of using a vulnerability scanner

Nobody looks forward to a compliance audit, but you can make the experience less painful by using a vulnerability scanning tool that runs compliance-specific scans. This way, you can fix any issues before the auditor's arrival.

Further Exploring The Top Vulnerability Scanning Services

• Astra Pentest

If you want a comprehensive pentest product, look no further than Astra's Pentest. Not only does it come with an automated vulnerability scanner, but the scanner can also be purchased separately.

Astra's Pentest contains the DAST vulnerability scanner, which is perfect for scanning web applications. You can update the rules every week to make sure you are stayed informed about newly evolving vulnerabilities.

Astra's Pentest is the most comprehensive security testing tool available. With access to over 3000 different tests, it will find and fix any vulnerabilities on your website quickly and effectively. And if you have any questions or run into any trouble, our team of highly experienced security professionals is always available to help out.

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• Qualys

Qualys is the dependable and precise cloud-based vulnerability scanner businesses need. It's not only versatile, adapting to various Any business can set it to their own specifications because it also boasts being able to scan premises devices, cloud migration(AWS, Azure, etc.), and IoT endpoints—there is no limit! Its expansive database of known vulnerabilities means one thing: your scans will always be up-to-date and accurate.

• Acunetix

By utilizing both DAST and IAST scanning, this web application security scanner can detect more than 7000 potential vulnerabilities. According to Acunetix, 90% of these potential vulnerabilities will be found before the scan is even halfway finished. 

Acunetix lets you quickly scan various types of environments for security vulnerabilities, and also provides organization tools to help you assess the risks they present. By eliminating false positives, Acunetix ensures that you can focus on the most pressing threats.

• Intruder

Intruder is a web application scanner that helps you prevent security issues by identifying potential vulnerabilities. It's easy to use and can test for various risks, such as misconfigurations, outdated or missing patches, SQLi, and XSS. By regularly scanning with Intruder, you'll be confident knowing that your IT environment is secure. 

• Veracode

Veracode is the ideal application security testing tool for large businesses that need to scan hundreds of apps and APIs simultaneously. Veracode offers SAST, DAST, and software composition analysis so you can stay up-to-date with fast-paced DevOps.

Vulnerability Scanning Best Practices

• Ensure your vulnerability scanner is up to date

Regularly updating your vulnerability scanner helps ensure that it has the latest vulnerability information and security configurations. This will help you identify new vulnerabilities and accurately assess their risks.

• Schedule vulnerability scans regularly

The best way to keep on top of security is to run vulnerability scans on a regular basis, such as once a month or even weekly depending on the size of your IT environment. Doing this will help you stay informed about what's going on in your environment, so you can quickly address any issues that arise.

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• Keep track of vulnerability scan results

It's important to keep track of vulnerability scan results in order to quickly address any issues or threats that arise from them. Keeping this information organized also allows you to compare results over time so you can monitor changes in your web development and adjust your security measures accordingly.

• Run vulnerability scans on all assets

In order to ensure comprehensive coverage, vulnerability scans should be run on all assets, including servers, databases, applications, and networks. This will help you stay up-to-date with any threats that may arise from newly added or changed systems.

• Verify vulnerability scan results

It's important to manually verify vulnerability scan results in order to make sure they are accurate and reliable. This is especially important for systems that are critical or have sensitive data, as incorrect vulnerability scans can leave them open to attack.

Final Thoughts

Vulnerability scanning is a crucial component of an overall security strategy. Through vulnerability scans, startups, enterprises, and web development companies can identify and assess threats in their IT environment so they can take the necessary steps to address them. While vulnerability scanners are helpful tools, it's important to ensure that they're updated regularly and used appropriately in order to get the most out of them. Additionally, vulnerability scan results should be verified manually in order to make sure they are accurate before any action is taken. Following these best practices will help you stay on top of your security posture and reduce your risk of attack.