Vulnerability Assessment Expert – Before We Get Into The Topic , let’s Learn Some Basic Of This Topic

What Does a Vulnerability Assessor Do?

What is a Vulnerability Assessor?

A Vulnerability Assessor (also known as a Vulnerability Assessment Analyst) examines applications and systems for flaws. To put it another way, you’re on the lookout for problems, scouring a network for crucial weaknesses. Furthermore, you’ll frequently be asked to submit your results in the form of a thorough, prioritized list – the Vulnerability Assessment – that businesses may utilize as a roadmap for development.

It’s a role for people who enjoy dismantling systems. In the end, you’ll be required to spot flaws that other IT professionals might miss. You’ll also need to prioritize your results and provide realistic, business-oriented recommendations. It’s a given that businesses won’t be able to solve all of their IT security issues at once.

Vulnerability Assessor Job Responsibilities

The Vulnerability Assessment report is your main deliverable as an analyst. As a result, you might be needed to:

  • Identify serious weaknesses in apps and systems that could be exploited by cybercriminals.
  • Conduct network, application, and operating system vulnerability evaluations.
  • Regularly, conduct network security audits and scans.
  • Automated technologies (such as Nessus) can help you find vulnerabilities and cut down on time-consuming chores.
  • To acquire a better understanding of the environment and decrease false negatives, use manual testing techniques and methodologies.
  • Create, test, and change bespoke vulnerability testing scripts and applications.
  • Reduce false positives by manually validating report findings.
  • Compile a list of vulnerabilities and track them over time for metric reasons.
  • Prepare and deliver a thorough Vulnerability Assessment.
  • Examine and establish the requirements for data security solutions.
  • Provide network and systems administrators with hands-on training.
  • Create and manage a database of vulnerability assessments.

Vulnerability Assessor Careers

Vulnerability Assessor Career Paths

Many Vulnerability Assessors, like Penetration Testers, become interested in hacking throughout their school or university years. There is no regulation prohibiting a Vulnerability Assessor from concurrently working as a Pen Tester. Most cyber professionals, in reality, perform many roles, including those of:

  • Auditor of Source Code
  • Expert in Forensics
  • Cryptanalyst

And so forth. Security Consultant is a catch-all title for all of these vocations.

Vulnerability Assessor vs. Penetration Tester

Check out Daniel Miessler’s post on the differences between vulnerability assessors and penetration testers, The Difference Between a Vulnerability Assessment and a Penetration Test:

“Vulnerability Assessments are designed to produce a prioritized list of vulnerabilities and are typically for clients who already know they aren’t at the level of security they want to be. The consumer is already aware of their problems; all they require is assistance in recognizing and prioritizing them.

“Customers who are already at their target security posture should request penetration tests because they are meant to achieve a specific, attacker-simulated aim. A common purpose may be to gain internal network access to the contents of a valuable customer database or to change a record in an HR system.”

Vulnerability Assessors, according to Miessler, are list-oriented, whereas Pen Testers are goal-oriented.

Similar Job Titles

A Vulnerability Assessor is also known by the following terms:

  • Analyst for Vulnerability Assessment
  • Vulnerability Analyst
  • Assessor of the Internet
  • Assessor of Security
  • Assessor of Security Controls
  • Assessor of Software Quality
  • Some people also work as security consultants on the side.

Vulnerability Assessor Salaries

Because this is such a specialist career, determining pay might be difficult.

The median compensation for a Security Assessor is $90,000, according to Payscale.

According to SimplyHired, the average compensation for a Vulnerability Assessor is $62,356. (2019 figures). The average pay estimate for the phrase Vulnerability Assessor Analyst is $65,644. (2019 figures).

You may expect to make $70-$80K in the Midwest and $85-$95K on the East and West Coasts as a cybersecurity specialist.

Vulnerability Assessor Job Requirements

Vulnerability Assessor job requirements will vary depending on the firm and its objective. A BS or MS and 6-12 years of in-depth experience with malware, forensics, and incident detection are required for a post as a Tier 2 Vulnerability Assessor with the DHS, for example. However, if you’re starting in a junior-level position, an AS and a few years of security-related experience in an IT job may be sufficient.

Before you make any judgments, do some market research, chat with your mentors, and reach out to professionals in the sector. A Bootcamp is another way to get your feet wet. Springboard’s 6-month Cybersecurity Career Track program, for example, involves a full risk and vulnerability assessment as part of the capstone project. Evolve Security also offers Penetration Testing. Alternatively, you can meet people at the DIMVA Conference on Intrusion Detection and Malware and Vulnerability Assessment.

Degree Requirements

The level of education required will vary depending on the organization and the nature of the work. An associate or bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Cyber Security, or the equivalent is useful to have in your back pocket for a smallish company. You’ll need a BS or an MS if you start looking at the super-charged choices (e.g. classified government work, jobs in huge firms, senior-level roles, etc.).

Work Experience

Depending on the amount of difficulty of the task, different levels of experience are required. A cybersecurity expert job typically requires 2-3 years of comparable professional experience in the sector. Senior-level positions, on the other hand, frequently require 5-7 years of experience—and occasionally even more.

Hard Skills

When it comes to technical talents, employers can be fussy. We’ve compiled a list of general needs, but you should also look at current job advertisements to determine where the market is headed.

  • The operating systems Windows, UNIX, and Linux
  • C, C++, C#, Java, ASM, PHP, and PERL are all examples of programming languages.
  • Scanners for networks (e.g. Nessus, ACAS, RETINA, Gold Disk, etc.)
  • Hardware and software systems for computers
  • Applications that run on the internet
  • ISO 27001/27002, NIST, HIPPA, SOX, and other security frameworks
  • Security products and tools (Fortify, AppScan, etc.)
  • Reverse engineering and vulnerability analysis
  • Framework for Metasploit
  • Note: If you’re evaluating applications, you’ll need to know how to program. It isn’t frequently required by network vulnerability assessors.

Soft Skills

Vulnerability Assessors and Pen Testers, on the other hand, aren’t always bound by the rules. That is why they are so good at what they do. This isn’t to imply that employers won’t be interested in seeing a criminal past, but they will want to know if you’re curious, innovative, and unconventional in your approach. After all, it’s your duty to think like a terrible guy.

Anal-retentive attention to detail, a puzzler’s brain, and good oral and written ability are also key soft skills. You’ll be teaching IT teams about better security practices as well as writing reports.

Certifications for Vulnerability Assessors

We’ve compiled a list of certificates that frequently appear in job descriptions. Although Mile2 offers a vulnerability assessment certification (CVA), CISSP and penetration testing certifications are frequently mentioned as must-haves.

  • CEH stands for “Certified Ethical Hacker.”
  • CPT stands for “Certified Penetration Tester.”
  • Certified Expert Penetration Tester (CEPT)
  • GIAC Certified Penetration Tester (GPEN)
  • OSCP (Offensive Security Certified Professional) is an acronym for Offensive Security Certified Professional.
  • CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional) is an acronym for Certified Information Systems Security Professional.
  • GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH):
  • Certified Vulnerability Assessor (CVA):

Note: For further information and advice, see our Cybersecurity Certifications Guide.

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