What is vulnerability scanning according to NIST?

NIST describes vulnerability scanning as a technique to identify hosts, attributes, and associated vulnerabilities. Its guidance helps organizations implement effective vulnerability management processes.

What industries benefit from VikingCloud’s Vulnerability Scanning services?

Retail, healthcare, financial services, and the public sector benefit from tailored assessments and compliance support.

Vulnerability Scanning Services

Q: What is the vulnerability scanning methodology?

The methodology typically includes creating an asset inventory, scanning the attack surface, matching findings to vulnerability databases, classifying risk, and generating remediation guidance.

Q: What are the two main types of vulnerability scans?

Authenticated (credentialed) and unauthenticated (non-credentialed). Authenticated scans provide deeper coverage using valid credentials; unauthenticated scans simulate an external attacker’s perspective.

Q: What’s the difference between vulnerability scanning and penetration testing?

Vulnerability scanning is largely automated and identifies potential weaknesses; penetration testing is manual and attempts exploitation to assess real-world risk. Used together, they provide comprehensive coverage.

Q: How often should vulnerability scanning be performed?

At minimum, quarterly or after significant changes to systems, applications, or network configurations.

Q: Why is vulnerability scanning important for compliance?

It supports frameworks like PCI DSS, HIPAA, and GDPR by helping identify risks, prioritize fixes, and maintain security hygiene.

Q: Can vulnerability scanning detect zero-day threats?

Traditional scanners focus on known vulnerabilities; VikingCloud’s Advanced Intel Scanner adds predictive intelligence to help surface emerging risks earlier.

Better Protection Starts with Better Visibility

The only way to prevent threats is to see more of them - to analyze patterns and uncover and understand new risks. Then synthesize and prioritize those risks in a way that helps predict and prevent them.‍

VikingCloud’s Advanced Intel Scanner is a proprietary scanning engine that “sees” the right assets, threats, and security vulnerabilities faster and more accurately.

Featured in

No One Sees More than VikingCloud:

We combine custom scanning tools, predictive intelligence, and cyber experts to identify and stop threats before they stop business.

Synthesizing Over 6+ Billion Online Cybersecurity & Compliance Events Every Day

VikingCloud means predictive intelligence powered by our Asgard Platform®, the industry’s largest repository of anonymized cybersecurity and compliance event data. Our advanced vulnerability assessment capabilities ensure comprehensive protection.

Intelligent Asset Discovery & Oversight

Our scanning engine’s integrated asset discovery capabilities use proprietary techniques to map, manage, and defend your connected devices.

Cyber Threat Unit

VikingCloud’s elite team of ethical hackers keeps the Advanced Intel Scanner up to date on the most recent threat signatures and new vulnerabilities - so you automatically get real-time information on threats and vulnerabilities – before they impact your organization.

VikingCloud's Suite of Vulnerability Scanning SERVICES

Prevention. Protection. Proof.

VikingCloud delivers cost-effective solutions for network inspection and vulnerability management according to the needs and budget of your organization.

Approved Scanning Vendor (ASV) Certified Scanning

For Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) compliance scanning and network segmentation testing, VikingCloud is an ASV – accredited by the PCI Security Standards Council (PCI SSC) – qualified to scan payment card networks and secure cardholder data. We conduct scanning for millions of organizations around the globe. All scheduled, configured, and delivered through our Asgard Platform.

External Scanning

Our cloud-based scanner sweeps your network perimeter and internet access points from the perspective of an outside hacker to identify potential external entry points. With options for authenticated scanning, we provide deeper insights where access is permitted. All scans are scheduled, configured, and delivered through the Asgard Platform, analyzing various IP addresses for vulnerabilities.

Internal Scanning

Through a virtual or hardware appliance, our internal scanning solution inspects different network segments for vulnerabilities, including authenticated scans for a comprehensive view of threats and vulnerabilities available to an insider or trusted user. All scans are managed through the Asgard Platform, delivering results that are both comprehensive and easy to understand.

ASV Certified Scanning

Approved Scanning Vendor (ASV) Certified Scanning

External Scanning

Block Attacks Automatically.

Our custom-built cybersecurity solutions are designed to stop threats before they stop your business. Expand and scale efficiently with enterprise-grade protection that simply works - out of the box - at every location.

Internal Scanning

All Our Vulnerability Scanning Services Include:

Unlimited access to our Asgard Platform.

Timely notifications for vulnerability findings.

Self-service or managed scanning & remediation support.

Reporting & risk analytics.

Authenticated scanning.

Pay-as-you-go or unlimited scanning options.

Automated scheduling.

Healthcare Organizations: Get Ready for New HIPAA Vulnerability Scanning Requirements.

Proposed updates to the HIPAA Security Rule will require vulnerability scanning at least every six months, mandatory for every covered entity and business associate, regardless of size.

Finalization is targeted for May 2026.
If you don't have a consistent scanning program in place, now is the time to build one.

The Asgard Platform®

Asgard Platform: One View. Total Protection.

Stay ahead of threats with a single, AI-powered hub that streamlines vulnerability and compliance management.

Smarter cybersecurity. Streamlined compliance. One platform.

Explore The Asgard Platform

Realtime visibility & alerts

Communication & task management

Secure document sharing & storage

Audit-ready vulnerability reporting & documentation

Nearly 70%

of applications still contain at least one vulnerability after 5 years in production. Our continuous vulnerability assessment helps mitigate risks and protect your apps effectively.

Explore Other Solutions

VikingCloud brings security and compliance together. Check out our PCI Compliance, HIPAA Compliance, Risk Management, and Penetration Testing offerings to help you stay up to date with the latest security standards, compliance regulations, and risk frameworks.

Datasheets

Get more details on VikingCloud’s suite of cybersecurity and compliance services.

View All

Case Studies

Read our case studies to find out how VikingCloud helps businesses across diverse industries to overcome cybersecurity and compliance challenges.

Our case studies showcase real-world success, where proactive protection meets seamless operations, keeping businesses secure, compliant, and uninterrupted.

View All

Case Study

In a comply-or-else industry, this payment solutions provider doesn’t just clear the bar, but surpasses the competition.

Learn More

Case Study

A Different Kind of Food Safety

Learn More

Finding The Cure for Swelling Cyber threats

Learn More

The Power of Proactive Cybersecurity Using Ethical Hackers to Uncover – and Fix Security Gaps

Learn More

Vulnerability Scanning FAQs

Here are common questions we are asked about our Managed Security Services. For additional terminology and information, check out our Cybersecurity Glossary.

What is vulnerability scanning?

Vulnerability scanning is the process of identifying security weaknesses and flaws in systems and software running on them. It’s part of a vulnerability management program that protects organizations from data breaches.

What tool is used for vulnerability scanning?

Various tools are used for vulnerability scanning, including network scanning software, web application scanners, and database scanning software. VikingCloud utilizes its proprietary Advanced Intel Scanner to detect vulnerabilities accurately.

What is the vulnerability scanning methodology?

The vulnerability scanning methodology involves several steps:
‍

Creating an asset inventory
Scanning the attack surface
Comparing findings with vulnerability databases
Detecting and classifying vulnerabilities
Generating reports with remediation recommendations

‍

What are the two main types of vulnerability scans?

The two main types of vulnerability scans are:

Unauthenticated (Non-Credentialed) Scans – Assess vulnerabilities without access credentials, simulating an external attacker’s perspective.
Authenticated (Credentialed) Scans – Use valid access credentials to provide a comprehensive and more accurate assessment of security risks from an internal perspective.

‍

What’s the difference between vulnerability scanning and penetration testing?

The two main types of vulnerability scans are:

Vulnerability Scanning is an automated process that identifies security weaknesses.
Penetration Testing is a manual process that attempts to exploit vulnerabilities to assess real-world risks.

Together, they provide a comprehensive security assessment.

How often should vulnerability scanning be performed?

Organizations should conduct vulnerability scanning regularly, at least quarterly, or whenever systems, applications, or network configurations are introduced or changed to promptly identify and remediate security weaknesses.

Why is vulnerability scanning important for compliance?

Vulnerability scanning is a cornerstone of PCI DSS compliance and is now an explicit requirement under the proposed HIPAA Security Rule, mandatory every six months for all covered entities and business associates, regardless of size. For organizations handling payment card data, healthcare data, or both, regular scanning isn't optional. It's how you find exposures before attackers do.

Organizations that establish consistent scanning programs now will be better protected today and better positioned when the HIPAA final rule takes effect.

Can vulnerability scanning detect zero-day threats?

Traditional vulnerability scanners rely on known vulnerabilities and databases, making them ineffective for detecting zero-day threats. However, VikingCloud’s Advanced Intel Scanner integrates predictive intelligence to help identify emerging risks.

What industries benefit from VikingCloud's Vulnerabitilty Scanning services

VikingCloud’s Vulnerability Scanning serves organizations across retail and ecommerce, healthcare, financial services, government, and technology.

For organizations handling payment and healthcare data, our scanning is designed to meet PCI DSS requirements and the recurring, mandatory cadence the updated HIPAA Security Rule will require.