Network Vulnerability Assessment

What Does Network Vulnerability Assessment Mean?

A network vulnerability assessment is the process of reviewing and analyzing a computer network for possible security vulnerabilities and loopholes.

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It is used by network administrators to evaluate the security architecture and defense of a network against possible vulnerabilities and threats.

Techopedia Explains Network Vulnerability Assessment

A network vulnerability assessment helps network administrators or network security staff to assess the security strength of a particular network. The key objective of this assessment is to find any vulnerabilities that can compromise the overall security, privacy and operations of the network.

A network vulnerability assessment is a broad process that includes tasks such as:

  • Security control check
  • Identifying, quantifying and prioritizing network threats
  • Router/Wi-Fi password analysis
  • Reviewing network strength against network-based attacks such as:
    • Distributed denial of service (DDoS)
    • Man-in-the-middle attack (MITM)
    • Network intrusion
  • Device-level security analysis (router, switch, computer)
  • Scanning for known and potential threats and vulnerabilities

When a network vulnerability assessment is performed, it serves as an input to network/information security policy and associated security products. It is generally done through a combination of automated network vulnerability scanning tools and technical judgment of security staff. Once completed, the assessment recommends a strategy of action to mitigate and resolve the identified vulnerabilities.

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Margaret Rouse

Margaret Rouse is an award-winning technical writer and teacher known for her ability to explain complex technical subjects to a non-technical, business audience. Over the past twenty years her explanations have appeared on TechTarget websites and she's been cited as an authority in articles by the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine and Discovery Magazine.Margaret's idea of a fun day is helping IT and business professionals learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages. If you have a suggestion for a new definition or how to improve a technical explanation, please email Margaret or contact her…