What is the function of a vulnerability scanner?

A vulnerability scanner plays a crucial role in cybersecurity by assessing systems for known vulnerabilities and providing reports. This tool systematically scans networks, applications, and systems to identify weaknesses that could be exploited by attackers. By utilizing a up-to-date database of known vulnerabilities, the scanner can evaluate the security posture of various components and highlight any areas that require remediations, such as unpatched software, misconfigurations, or compliance issues.

The reports generated by vulnerability scanners serve as actionable intelligence for security teams, allowing them to prioritize risks based on their severity and develop a strategy to mitigate those vulnerabilities. This proactive approach is vital in maintaining strong security defenses, as it enables organizations to address potential risks before they can be exploited in an attack.

In contrast to the other options, encrypting sensitive data pertains to protecting data confidentiality; testing employee awareness targets human factors in security; and monitoring user access levels focuses on managing permissions and access controls. While these activities are important in their own right, they do not align with the specific function of assessing systems for known vulnerabilities, which is the primary purpose of a vulnerability scanner.