Best vulnerability management tools: Prevent security breaches

  • October 29, 2024
  •  
  • 06:28 AM
  •  
  • 0

Hackers have a list of easy ways into your IT system, and vulnerability scanners spot those loopholes so you can shut them down. We explore the best vulnerability managers.Best Vulnerability Management Tools

Vulnerability management tools are essential for identifying, assessing, and mitigating security vulnerabilities within an organization's IT infrastructure. These tools perform automated scans to detect weaknesses in systems, applications, and networks that could be exploited by attackers. They categorize and prioritize vulnerabilities based on their severity and potential impact, enabling IT teams to address the most critical issues first.

Key features include continuous monitoring, real-time alerts, detailed reporting, and integration with other security tools. By providing a comprehensive view of an organization's security posture, these tools help ensure that vulnerabilities are promptly identified and remediated, reducing the risk of cyberattacks and enhancing overall security.

One of the major ways that hackers get into your system is through newly discovered exploits in software. However, they have a narrow window to use these tricks because as soon as they make the most of this path a few times, someone is going to notice. Once the producer of a compromised software package finds out, they produce an update that removes the weakness. Thus, it is important to apply updates, known as patches, as soon as they become available. Hackers will continue to try these exploits because they know that not everyone will have installed the update. 

One of the major categories of weaknesses that vulnerability managers look for is out-of-date software. So, many security packages will include both a vulnerability manager and a patch manager. In these cases, the vulnerability manager will set up an automated patch manager with a list of updates to install.

Here is our list of the seven best vulnerability managers:

  1. Intruder (EDITOR’S CHOICE): Provides continuous network monitoring, automated vulnerability scanning, and actionable remediation advice. Easily integrates with cloud providers like AWS, GCP, and Azure for comprehensive protection. This is an online service. Get a 14-day free trial.
  2. Rapid7 InsightVM (FREE TRIAL): Get end-to-end visibility, continuous assessment, and prioritization of vulnerabilities with this package. Integrates with SIEM and other security tools for streamlined operations. Access a 30-day free trial.
  3. Nessus Essentials (FREE TOOL): A free vulnerability assessment tool offering basic scanning capabilities for small networks. Ideal for educational purposes and small businesses. Runs on Linux, Windows, and Windows Server. Download for free.
  4. OpenVAS: An open-source vulnerability scanner with comprehensive coverage. Regular updates to detection capabilities and customizable scan configurations. Available in free and paid versions.
  5. ManageEngine Vulnerability Manager Plus: A multi-OS coverage, continual visibility, and built-in remediation. Offers detailed risk assessment reports and compliance management. Runs on Windows Server.
  6. SecPod SanerNow: A continuous vulnerability management with an extensive vulnerability database. Automated patching and detailed security insights. This is a cloud-based SaaS platform.
  7. Vicarius vRx: An all-in-one vulnerability assessment and remediation solution. Uses AI and community-driven insights for patch management, scripting, and patchless protection. Hosted on the cloud.

The best vulnerability management tools

Our methodology for selecting vulnerability management tools

We reviewed the market for vulnerability managers and analyzed the options based on the following criteria:

  • The tool should accurately identify vulnerabilities with minimal false positives or negatives.
  • A package with an intuitive interface and straightforward setup.
  • Compatibility with existing IT infrastructure and other security tools.
  • The tool should be capable of growing with your organization.
  • Tools that automate scanning, patching, and reporting, saving time and resources.
  • A service that has a free version or a free trial to enable a risk-free assessment.
  • A reasonable total cost of ownership, including licensing, maintenance, and support.

Some tools available for vulnerability management will provide you with a list of weaknesses to fix, while others are part of a package that includes automated systems to cloud down exploits. We made sure to include both types of services.

1. Intruder (EDITOR’S CHOICE)

Intruder

Intruder is a cloud-based vulnerability management tool designed to scan networks for weaknesses that can be exploited by cyberattackers. It automates security scanning to help organizations identify and address vulnerabilities before hackers do. Its simplicity and cloud-based architecture make it a practical choice for both small businesses and large enterprises.

Key features:

  • Comprehensive searches: External and internal vulnerability scanning.
  • Intelligent threat prioritization: Adapted to the context of your environment.
  • External attack surface management: Continuous monitoring of attack surfaces.
  • Integration with major cloud platforms: AWS, GCP, and Azure.
  • Notifications and logging: Automated alerts and reporting.

Why do we recommend it?

Intruder offers simplicity combined with advanced vulnerability detection and automatic updates. Its smart prioritization of threats saves time and helps organizations focus on what truly matters, especially for teams with limited security expertise. The basic plan focuses on checking that a system is secure from an external perspective, which models potential attacks by outsiders.

I found that Intruder is ideal for companies looking for an efficient and user-friendly vulnerability management solution. With automatic scans and alert systems, it reduces manual labor while still delivering reliable security. Its cloud-based nature provides easy deployment and seamless integration with existing systems.

Who is it recommended for?

Intruder is best suited for small to medium-sized businesses that want a straightforward, automated vulnerability management tool. It’s perfect for organizations with limited security personnel who need reliable scanning without the overhead of managing complex tools. The platform offers a range of plans that provide just external scanning through to detailed internal scanning as well.

Pros:

  • Highly automated: Easy to deploy and use with minimal setup.
  • Vulnerability categorization: Strong focus on prioritizing real-world risks.
  • Cloud-based: No on-premise infrastructure required.
  • Constantly updated threat database: The central detection engine is maintained by Intruder’s technicians.
  • Always-on scanning: Continuous, automated monitoring.

Cons:

  • Limited automated remediation features: No patch manager.

Intruder is a cloud-based service, making it OS-independent. It offers a 14-day free trial, allowing organizations to explore its full range of features before committing to a subscription.

2. Rapid7 InsightVM (FREE TRIAL)

Rapid7 InsightVM

Rapid7 InsightVM is a powerful vulnerability management tool with extensive scanning capabilities and real-time visibility into your IT environment. Built to scale with enterprise-level demands, it offers detailed analytics and integrates seamlessly with incident response systems, enabling more effective remediation and continuous security improvement.

Key features:

  • Continuous internal scanning: Real-time visibility into asset vulnerabilities.
  • External probing: Attack surface scanning.
  • Risk prioritization: Based on real-world exploitability.
  • SLA-based performance tracking: Set up your contractual obligations in the interface and it will alert you if goals are slipping.

Why do we recommend it?

Rapid7 InsightVM combines comprehensive vulnerability scanning with actionable intelligence, offering enterprise-level functionality with the flexibility to scale. Its risk prioritization and automation features reduce the workload on IT teams, speeding up remediation and compliance efforts.

I noted that Rapid7 is the first of three businesses on our list that have been associated with highly respected free penetration testing tools. In this case, the tool is Metasploit. These open-source systems are usually free to use and that results in a lack of development budget. A standard solution to this problem is to link up with a commercial security brand. Rapid7 has absorbed much of the expertise that is locked into the Metasploit tool, which itself has a paid version that acts more like a vulnerability scanner than a penetration testing system.

Who is it recommended for?

It is best for large enterprises and organizations with a broad and complex network infrastructure. Rapid7 InsightVM is designed for security teams that require in-depth analytics and real-time insights to stay ahead of threats.

Pros:

  • Integrations with third-party systems: Automates alert ticketing and remediation orchestration.
  • Cloud-based platform: Hosting and maintenance are taken care of.
  • Scalable: Particularly suitable for large environments.
  • Real-time updates and continuous scanning: Newly discovered exploits are automatically added to the database.

Cons:

  • Expensive for smaller businesses: This is probably the most expensive tool on our list.

InsightVM is available for both cloud and on-premise deployments, with support for Windows and Linux operating systems. A 30-day free trial is available, offering full access to its features.

3. Nessus Essentials (FREE TOOL)

Nessus Essentials

Nessus Essentials is a free tool and it is provided by Tenable, which also produces a range of vulnerability management services under its own brand name. The popular Nessus vulnerability scanner is an on-premises system and is designed for smaller environments. It offers many of the same features as its paid counterparts but is limited to 16 IPs, making it ideal for smaller networks or individuals seeking an entry point into vulnerability scanning.

Key features:

  • Scans up to 16 IPs for vulnerabilities: Larger businesses need to opt for the paid Tenable tools.
  • Covers a broad range of common vulnerabilities: Scans networks and endpoints.
  • Detailed reporting and remediation advice: Explains where the weaknesses lie.

Why do we recommend it?

Nessus Essentials provides free access to a highly respected vulnerability scanning engine. For small environments or personal use, it’s an excellent way to identify and fix vulnerabilities without the need for costly tools. The limit of 16 nodes makes it unsuitable for use by most organizations. 

I learned that Nessus was originally an open-source project and completely free to use. However, like Metasploit (see Rapid7 InsightVM section) the unfunded team turned to a commercial venture for financial support. The role of Tenable eventually expanded, effectively taking over the project rather than just funding it. The company took the code base private and built its own paid tools on top of it. As a nod to the package’s history, the company released a free version, which is called Nessus Essentials.

Who is it recommended for?

This system is ideal for individuals, small businesses, or educational purposes. It suits those with smaller environments or limited resources, providing a free and accessible introduction to vulnerability management. Tenable is making the free tool increasingly hard to find and wants to encourage proactive users to move up to a paid product instead.

Pros:

  • Free to use: The remnant of an open-source project.
  • Regular updates to vulnerability signatures: Administrators need to import new rules.
  • Reliable scanning engine: Provides accurate results.

Cons:

  • Limited to 16 IPs: Can’t be used for large networks.

Tenable maintains a number of open-source projects, but Nessus isn’t one of them. Nessus Essentials is available on Windows, Linux, and macOS. It is free to use but limited to 16 IPs, with no trial restrictions. The paid version that doesn’t have a capacity restriction is called Tenable Nessus and it is available for a 7-day free trial. The company also produces Tenable Vulnerability Management, which also has a 7-day free trial.

4. OpenVAS

OpenVAS

OpenVAS (Open Vulnerability Assessment System) is an open-source vulnerability scanner designed to provide a comprehensive security assessment for network environments. It offers extensive scanning capabilities, covering various vulnerability types, and is highly configurable to meet the needs of both small and large organizations.

Key features:

  • Extensive library of vulnerability tests: Narrow scans to get them to finish quicker.
  • Supports multiple scanning protocols: This makes the tool difficult to learn.
  • Detailed vulnerability reports and remediation suggestions: A wide range of supported vulnerability types.

Why do we recommend it?

OpenVAS stands out for being a highly customizable, open-source tool. It provides extensive scanning capabilities and is an excellent choice for users looking to control all aspects of their vulnerability management process. Greenbone has developed a cloud-based SaaS package on top of the OpenVAS core, which might be a better option for large organizations.  

I discovered that OpenVAS was created when Tenable took Nessus private. A group grabbed the open-source code of Nessus and used it as the basis of a new open-source project. The group started the Greenbone GmbH company in Germany to manage and commercialize the project. OpenVAS is still free, while Greenbone versions, including a cloud-hosted option, are paid tools and help to fund OpenVAS.

Who is it recommended for?

It’s ideal for medium to large enterprises with in-house technical expertise that require a fully customizable and open-source solution for vulnerability management. It is suited for advanced users seeking granular control over their security scanning processes. This tool is used widely in cybersecurity courses, which provides many experts who are trained in its use.

Pros:

  • Open-source: Free to use.
  • Extremely customizable: You can access the code and change it.
  • Continuous updates from the community: These are free but have to be loaded manually.

Cons:

  • A full system scan can take a long time: Break up the scan to get results quicker.

OpenVAS is available for Linux systems. As it's open-source, it is free to use without any trial limitations. The system is available from the OpenVAS GitHub repository.

5. ManageEngine Vulnerability Manager Plus

ManageEngine Vulnerability Manager Plus

ManageEngine Vulnerability Manager Plus is a comprehensive on-premise vulnerability management solution designed to cover endpoint management and security in a single package. It combines vulnerability scanning, patch management, and compliance tracking, making it a suitable choice for enterprises that require an all-in-one solution.

Key features:

  • Centralized vulnerability scanning: Hosted on one computer and scans multiple devices across the network.
  • Built-in patch management: Automatically set up by the vulnerability scanner.
  • Compliance management and reporting: CIS benchmark compliance.

Why do we recommend it?

ManageEngine Vulnerability Manager Plus is a powerful, all-in-one solution that goes beyond simple scanning by integrating patch management and compliance tracking. This saves time and simplifies security management across endpoints. The system will automatically set up its patch manager to update software where necessary. Many configuration errors can also be fixed automatically.

I observed that ManageEngine Vulnerability Manager Plus offers extensive capabilities for endpoint security, making it more than just a vulnerability scanner. Its integrated approach simplifies remediation and helps ensure that networks remain compliant with security standards. ManageEngine is a well-established system monitoring and management tools provider with a good reputation for software reliability and customer support. 

Who is it recommended for?

This tool is best suited for medium to large businesses with multiple endpoints that require centralized vulnerability management, patching, and compliance tracking in one integrated platform. Small businesses will like the Free edition, which protects 20 workstations and five servers. 

Pros:

  • Comprehensive endpoint security features: Will scan endpoints running Windows, macOS, and Linux.
  • Automation of vulnerability management tasks: Reduces the need for manual checking and updating.
  • Web server and application vulnerability scanning: Examines software and platforms.

Cons:

  • Requires on-premise setup and management: No cloud version.

ManageEngine Vulnerability Manager Plus will scan Windows, macOS, and Linux but it only installs on Windows Server. ManageEngine offers a 30-day free trial of Vulnerability Manager Plus.

6. SecPod SanerNow

SecPod SanerNow

SecPod SanerNow is a cloud-based vulnerability management tool that provides endpoint detection and response, vulnerability scanning, and patch management in a unified platform. Its focus on automation and real-time endpoint monitoring makes it an effective tool for quickly identifying and mitigating risks.

Key features:

  • Real-time vulnerability scanning: Operates continuously.
  • Automated patch management: Triggered by the vulnerability scanner.
  • Endpoint detection and response (EDR): Looks out for viruses and intruders.

Why do we recommend it?

SecPod SanerNow combines powerful scanning with real-time monitoring and automated remediation, making it ideal for businesses looking to minimize manual work while maintaining strong endpoint security. Bundling together vulnerability scanning, patching, compliance management, and endpoint protection gives buyers a single source of all essential cybersecurity systems. 

I noticed that SanerNow offers an effective, automated approach to endpoint security. Its real-time vulnerability detection and automated patching ensure that endpoints remain secure and compliant without excessive manual intervention from IT teams.

Who is it recommended for?

SanerNow is best for small to medium businesses looking for a cloud-based vulnerability management tool that focuses on automation, endpoint security, and real-time remediation capabilities. Annoyingly, SecPod doesn’t publish a price list, which is likely to deter price-sensitive small businesses from inquiring about the product. 

Pros:

  • Compliance management and reporting: HIPAA, PCI, ISO, NIST CSF, and STIG.
  • Lightweight agent deployment for endpoints: Guided installation.
  • Strong focus on automation: Ensures system security.

Cons:

  • No price list: You might not be able to afford the package.

SanerNow is a cloud-based service and it will scan endpoints running Windows, macOS, and Linux. It offers a free trial with full access to its features, allowing users to evaluate the tool’s effectiveness before purchasing.

7. Vicarius vRx

Vicarius vRx

Vicarius vRx is an advanced vulnerability management solution focused on predictive analysis, real-time patching, and vulnerability prioritization. It uses machine learning to identify which vulnerabilities are most likely to be exploited and allows users to protect their assets without the need for traditional patching.

Key features:

  • Real-time patching and mitigation: Scans endpoints.
  • Protects exploits for which no patch is available: Application hardening without traditional patching.
  • Automated remediation workflows: Reduce the need to have cybersecurity experts on the payroll.

Why do we recommend it?

Vicarius vRx stands out for its predictive vulnerability analysis and patchless protection capabilities, which provide a more proactive approach to managing security risks compared to traditional tools. The system creates a database of vulnerabilities on an endpoint and then automatically scans incoming traffic, blocking anything that looks like it's going to hit an exploit.

I found that Vicarius vRx provides an innovative approach to vulnerability management, focusing on proactive mitigation through machine learning and patchless protection. Its advanced features make it an ideal choice for organizations that prioritize staying ahead of emerging threats. It reduces reliance on the ability of software companies to produce patches for newly discovered exploits.

Who is it recommended for?

Vicarius vRx is recommended for medium to large enterprises with sophisticated security needs, especially those looking to implement predictive vulnerability management and reduce the reliance on traditional patching methods. It is particularly useful for mission-critical systems, such as utilities and healthcare providers.

Pros:

  • AI-based problem detection: Predictive vulnerability identification.
  • Virtual patching: Patchless protection for critical systems.
  • Machine learning assessment: Adaptive risk prioritization.

Cons:

  • One of the most advanced vulnerability managers available: May be too advanced for small businesses.

Vicarius vRx is a cloud-based SaaS platform that will scan endpoints running Windows, Linux, and macOS. You can request a demo for a risk-free assessment opportunity; the company used to offer a 14-day free trial, but that seems to have disappeared.