(ISC)2 Certified in Cybersecurity Practice Exam

Nessus is primarily known as a network vulnerability scanning tool. It is designed to identify potential vulnerabilities in systems and applications on a network. By scanning the network and evaluating various devices, Nessus assesses security weaknesses such as missing patches, misconfigurations, and other vulnerabilities that could be exploited by an attacker.

The reason this classification is apt is that Nessus performs a comprehensive assessment of the entire network to identify risks associated with networked devices, services, and systems. It provides an extensive report detailing these vulnerabilities, helping organizations prioritize their remediation efforts. This capability makes it a crucial tool for organizations looking to strengthen their overall security posture and proactively manage risks associated with network vulnerabilities.

In contrast, while Nessus may have features related to other scanning types, its primary focus is on network vulnerability assessment. This differentiates it from tools that specialize exclusively in port scanning, web application scanning, or protocol analysis, which have distinct purposes and functionalities in the cybersecurity landscape.