What Is Nmap and How Can It Help Identify Network Vulnerabilities?

This document is an overview of Nmap as a network-mapping and reconnaissance tool, describing its core functions (host discovery, TCP/UDP port scanning, service/version and OS fingerprinting, and the Nmap Scripting Engine), common security use cases (vulnerability discovery, asset inventory, red/blue team operations, and compliance), comparisons to other scanners, limitations, and recommended best practices; it also highlights how SecurityScorecard incorporates similar external scanning and offers managed services for supply-chain and external risk visibility.