What is a vulnerability scan?

This article provides an introductory guide to vulnerability scanning, explaining its purpose, how scanners identify weaknesses by comparing asset data to known vulnerabilities, and how it differs from penetration testing. It outlines major scan types (network, host, application, database, cloud), scanning approaches (internal vs. external, authenticated vs. unauthenticated), and common issues found (open ports, outdated firmware, weak passwords, misconfigurations). The piece emphasizes benefits such as reduced attack risk, improved compliance, and better prioritization of remediation, and includes a promotional call to action for ThreatLocker.