Vulnerability testing is one of the most underrated aspects of cybersecurity. Too often, organizations treat it as a compliance checkbox rather than a proactive security measure. In my previous role, I was responsible for running periodic vulnerability reports and patching software vulnerabilities. While this process provided critical insights into potential security risks, many clients approached it with a bare-minimum mindset, only addressing vulnerabilities that were flagged as critical to satisfy cybersecurity insurance requirements.
This compliance-driven approach often led to overlooking other crucial aspects of cybersecurity, including cloud security, web application security, and Microsoft 365 security. While frequent patching helped mitigate risks, a reactive security strategy—where vulnerabilities are addressed only when required—left organizations exposed to cyber threats that could have been prevented with a more comprehensive security approach.
The Compliance vs. Security Gap
From my experience, many organizations saw vulnerability testing primarily as a means to maintain compliance, rather than a proactive security practice. This compliance-driven approach resulted in several security gaps:
- Critical vulnerabilities were patched, but lower-severity issues were ignored – Many clients only addressed vulnerabilities labeled critical, even though medium- and low-severity vulnerabilities can still be exploited in a cyber attack. Attackers often chain together lower-risk vulnerabilities to escalate privileges or move laterally within a network.
- Cloud security was often neglected – While some clients were diligent in patching on-premises software, Microsoft 365 environments were frequently overlooked. Some organizations failed to implement Intune policies, leaving cloud accounts vulnerable to unauthorized access and phishing-based account takeovers.
- Web applications and WordPress plugins were ignored – Even organizations that regularly patched their software often neglected their public-facing web applications. I encountered several cases where clients ensured their internal systems were up to date but left WordPress plugins outdated, increasing their risk of compromise. This is particularly concerning since an unpatched browser on an internal network is far less dangerous than an unpatched WordPress plugin exposed to the internet.
This selective approach to vulnerability management created security blind spots, where organizations assumed they were secure simply because they had met the minimum compliance standards set by their cybersecurity insurance provider.
Vulnerability Scanning as a Proactive Security Measure
I firmly believe that vulnerability scanning should be the foundation of any proactive cybersecurity strategy. Rather than treating it as a compliance requirement, organizations should leverage it to gain a comprehensive understanding of their security posture. Regular vulnerability assessments provide valuable insights into weaknesses before they can be exploited by attackers.
To build a stronger security strategy, organizations should:
- Go beyond compliance-driven patching – Address all vulnerabilities, not just critical ones. Attackers don’t discriminate based on severity ratings; they exploit any available weakness.
- Prioritize cloud security alongside on-premises security – Implement Intune, Conditional Access, and MFA for Microsoft 365 environments to prevent account takeovers.
- Secure web applications, not just internal systems – Regularly update WordPress plugins, third-party integrations, and public-facing applications, as these are prime targets for attackers.
- Adopt a proactive security mindset – Treat vulnerability scanning as an essential security measure, not just a requirement for maintaining cyber insurance.
Conclusion
Vulnerability testing is the first step in proactively securing an environment against cyber threats. However, when organizations only use it to meet compliance standards, they risk missing critical security gaps that could lead to devastating ransomware attacks, data breaches, or account takeovers. A true cybersecurity strategy requires a holistic approach, where vulnerability scanning is part of an ongoing effort to strengthen security, rather than just another checkmark on an audit report.
Cyber threats are constantly evolving—organizations that fail to recognize the importance of proactive security will always be one step behind attackers. It’s time to stop sleeping on vulnerability testing.