External Vulnerability Scans: The Love-Hate Relationship in Cybersecurity
External vulnerability scans are like the broccoli of cybersecurity—everyone knows they’re good for you, but no one enjoys them. These scans reveal open ports and exposed assets, but often leave organizations with more noise than actionable advice. To bridge the external attack surface gap, automation, regular scanning, and strong governance are key.

Hot Take:
External vulnerability scans are the love-hate relationship of the cybersecurity world—necessary for security but often as enjoyable as a dentist’s drill. They promise to guard the fortress, yet more often than not, leave us guarding a pile of questionably useful data. Let’s face it, the only thing they consistently expose is our lack of preparedness.
Key Points:
- External vulnerability scans help identify open ports and internet-exposed assets for organizations.
- The Verizon 2024 DBIR Report indicates a 180% increase in breaches via vulnerability exploitation.
- Challenges include asset discovery, resource-intensive processes, and infrequent scans.
- Organizations often face a dilemma between scan thoroughness and network impact.
- Adopting automated scanning and continuous monitoring can bridge external attack surface gaps.
Already a member? Log in here