Discuss the benefits of system scanning.

System scanning helps maintain system security and prevent intrusions.

It identifies security weaknesses. Scans discover known vulnerabilities in operating systems, applications, and network devices. They also detect insecure configurations an attacker might exploit.

System scanning leads to proactive risk reduction. By finding and addressing weaknesses before exploitation, it reduces the attack surface and helps prevent intrusions.

It assists with compliance and policy enforcement. System scans verify that systems adhere to security policies, industry standards, and regulatory requirements. For example, scanning ensures necessary security patches have been applied. This checks for deviations from established security baselines.

Finally, system scanning provides asset visibility. It discovers active hosts, open ports, and running services. This gives administrators a more complete picture of their network's security posture.