Event-Driven Network Scanning for Vulnerability Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
System administrators face challenges in detecting and addressing security vulnerabilities in internet-connected assets due to the complexity of monitoring system changes and the potential for undetected vulnerabilities, especially with the rapid evolution of network configurations and newly discovered threats.
Innovation Solution
A system for event-driven querying that receives indications of changes from external systems, determines and performs scanning queries based on these indications, and provides a network status display, including historical and real-time vulnerability assessments, to ensure comprehensive vulnerability detection and response.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If continuous scanning of all network systems is performed, then vulnerability detection completeness is improved, but system resource consumption and scanning time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by establishing baseline vulnerability assessments and configuring change detection mechanisms in advance. When system changes are detected (such as configuration changes, new vulnerabilities, or security events), the system triggers targeted re-scanning only of affected systems or components, rather than performing continuous full-network scans. This preliminary setup enables efficient response to security events while reducing overall scanning time and resource consumption.
2Reliability
If comprehensive vulnerability scanning is performed across all systems, then security coverage is improved, but complexity of monitoring and managing scans increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the network into manageable groups or zones based on security requirements, system criticality, and change patterns. Each segment can be monitored and scanned independently with appropriate frequency and depth. This segmentation reduces the complexity of managing comprehensive scans by breaking down the large-scale monitoring task into smaller, more manageable units while maintaining complete security coverage across all segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts scanning parameters such as scan frequency, depth, and target selection based on detected system changes, security events, and risk levels. When changes are detected in critical systems, the system increases scan frequency and depth for those specific areas. This parameter adaptation enables comprehensive security coverage while reducing overall monitoring complexity by focusing resources on high-risk areas rather than uniformly scanning all systems at all times.
3Speed
If frequent vulnerability scans are performed, then vulnerability detection timeliness is improved, but resource consumption and system impact increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic vulnerability scanning with variable intervals based on detected system changes and security events. Instead of uniform frequent scanning, the system adjusts scan timing dynamically - increasing frequency when changes are detected and reducing frequency during stable periods. This periodic action with adaptive timing maintains timely vulnerability detection while significantly reducing overall resource consumption compared to continuous frequent scanning of all systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for an event driven query includes an input interface and a processor. The input interface is configured to receive an indication from an external system. The processor is configured to determine a scanning query based at least in part on the indication; and perform the scanning query.