Vulnerability Scans: Only Part of the Equation

July 3, 2024

There are two primary ways we see companies manage vulnerabilities… one of them significantly riskier than the other.

Reactive strategies rely on a problem to arise before taking action. This makes reactive the riskier option of the two, hopefully for obvious reasons. Using a reactive strategy is like waiting for an electric bill to tell you that a door has been left open. By the time you get the memo, the damage has already been done.

On the other hand, proactive strategies actively seek potential weaknesses and do everything possible to run a secure program before a problem occurs. Closed door. Locks engaged. And maybe an alarm system to keep bad actors out.

We work with organizations who work very hard to be less vulnerable. In fact, they spend a lot of time and money trying to protect themselves from all kinds of threats.

So, how do you know which strategy you are currently engaging? And how do you make the shift to the less risky one?

Inventory: Establish a comprehensive, up-to-date list of all your software, its components, version numbers, and other key data points. Create processes and assign someone the responsibility of maintaining this list and hold them accountable to its accuracy. It’s hard to maintain security if these systems are not showing up on anyone’s radar.
Patching: Ensure your processes include patching and keeping all software up to date on a cadence separate from vulnerability scanning. Set up a regular patching schedule and stick to it. Patching isn’t just about remediating vulnerabilities; it’s about fixing bugs and unlocking new features in addition to critical updates.

Support: Keep an active relationship with your software representatives including established communication mechanisms to ensure you receive notifications of the latest updates. Clear communication with the source will help you ensure these valuable updates are known and made.

Ensuring these activities are part of your process will strengthen your cyber program and also help you sleep a little easier at night knowing you’re using best practices to run foundational parts of your security.

Let’s lock those doors before the burglars come knocking, shall we?

Security Awareness Training – Verizon 2025 Data Breach Investigations Report

Security Awareness

In this 15-minute training, the HG team breaks down the most critical findings from Verizon’s 2025 Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR)—and what they mean for real-world security programs. We cover the sharp rise in third-party breaches, the growing threat of GenAI misuse, and the continued dominance of ransomware and credential-based attacks. You’ll walk away with […]

Supply Chain Security: Managing Risk Beyond Your Vendors

Compliance, Cybersecurity, Events, GRC, Risk

When it comes to third-party supply chain security, there’s a big difference between doing it and doing it right. Every vendor you work with brings their own vendors into the mix—so who truly owns the risk? In this session, we’ll explore how to identify, assess, and mitigate supply chain risks at every level without overburdening […]

What Operationalized GRC Actually Looks Like: From Silos to Systems

Cybersecurity, GRC, Other, Top Posts

Many organizations believe their GRC program is operational because audits are passing and tools are in place. In reality, operationalized GRC behaves very differently. Risk has clear ownership. Information flows across teams. Gaps surface early instead of being hidden. In this session, Cheri Hotman and Peter Spier walk through what an operationalized GRC program actually […]

Why Maturity Matters: Overcoming GRC Cognitive Overload with the Maturity Model

Events, GRC, Top Posts

Please join Kayne McGladrey, author of the GRC Maturity Model and Cheri Hotman as they explore the GRC (Governance, Risk, and Compliance) Maturity Model, a powerful tool for organizations to assess and enhance their cybersecurity practices. Achieving maturity in GRC is crucial for navigating complex regulatory landscapes and boosting overall effectiveness. Through self-assessments, organizations can […]

Security Questionnaires: You Can’t Just Blame the Intern

Compliance, Events, GRC, Risk, Top Posts, TPRM

Let’s face it—no one enjoys security questionnaires. They are tedious and time-consuming, and it’s easy to question their real effectiveness in mitigating security risks, especially since they’re often a check-the-box exercise. However, in today’s digital landscape, they are unavoidable for building and maintaining trust with customers. Join us as we confront this harsh reality: despite […]

A Practical Approach to Choosing the Right GRC Tool

Compliance, Cybersecurity, Events, GRC, GRC SaaS

With countless GRC tools on the market, how do you know which one is the right fit for your organization? The wrong choice can lead to wasted resources and unmet security goals. In this session, we’ll walk through real-world cases, breaking down why specific tools were chosen and how they were successfully implemented. You’ll learn […]

Mastering Multi-Framework Compliance: Strategies for Efficiency & Growth

Compliance, Events

Aligning with multiple cybersecurity frameworks is rarely a clean, linear process—especially when your first framework wasn’t chosen with the fifth in mind. As your organization matures, how do you avoid inefficiencies, stay compliant, and ensure a streamlined approach across frameworks? In this session, we’ll explore strategies to create efficiencies, manage overlaps, and prevent compliance gaps […]

Why Cybersecurity is as much Art as Science

Podcast

In this kickoff episode of The Art of Cybersecurity, host Cheri Hotman shares why this podcast exists and what listeners can expect. Cyber isn’t just science or technology — it’s art. It’s messy, constrained, people-driven, and ultimately about mitigating risk to protect people and data. Cheri cuts through the noise of “easy button” tools, audit-passing […]

Security Awareness Training – Ransomware

Security Awareness

One Click Is All It Takes A single click on a phishing link. A password change request that didn’t feel quite right. A forgotten remote desktop login. That’s all it takes for ransomware to slip in and start locking down systems—and businesses. Why Ransomware Is Still a Threat Despite increased awareness, ransomware […]