What are “Automated Asset Discovery Tools” and how do they work?

Thanks to digital transformation, organisations are connecting more and more Extended Internet of Things (XIoT) devices to their corporate networks.

XIoT is a term that encompasses all cyber-physical systems, from operational technology (OT) and Industrial Control Systems (ICS) to Internet of Things (IoT) devices, Industrial IoTs, and Internet of Medical Things (IoMT).

One sector that has seen rapid growth in the number of XIoT devices is Critical National Infrastructure (CNI). XIoT devices can help monitor hospital patient levels, automate industrial production lines, and control chemical levels within water systems – and these are only a few of the tasks that can be supported.

The first step any organization can take is to gain visibility into all cyber-physical systems and assets. By doing so, organisations can understand the risk of vulnerabilities and security gaps, including end-of-life devices, in their networks.

Businesses must bring in automated asset discovery tools to make tasks more manageable and identify connections. After all, the devices are identified, organisations can implement regulatory security updates.

Automated asset discovery tools are designed to help organizations identify and inventory their digital assets, such as devices, software applications, and network resources. These tools use various techniques to scan and collect information about the assets present in an organization’s network.

Here is a general overview of how automated asset discovery tools work:

1. Scanning: The tool initiates the scanning process by sending out requests or probes across the network. These probes can be in the form of network packets, queries, or specific commands, depending on the type of asset being discovered.
2. Network Mapping: As the scanning probes travel through the network, they interact with the devices and systems they encounter. The responses received from these devices help in creating a map of the network, including IP addresses, hostnames, and other identifying information. This mapping process allows the tool to understand the network’s structure and connectivity.
3. Device Identification: The tool analyzes the responses received from the devices to determine their type and characteristics. It identifies various devices, such as servers, routers, switches, printers, IoT devices, and endpoints. This identification is often based on factors like device fingerprints, open ports, operating system signatures, or protocols used.
4. Service and Application Discovery: The tool further probes the identified devices to discover the services and applications running on them. It may use techniques like port scanning, banner grabbing, or protocol-specific queries to gather information about the services exposed by the devices. This helps in identifying the software applications, databases, web servers, and other network services present in the environment.
5. Data Collection: The tool collects additional information about the discovered assets, such as installed software versions, configuration details, patch levels, and network relationships. This data is typically gathered through various protocols like SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol), SSH (Secure Shell), WMI (Windows Management Instrumentation), or APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) provided by the devices and applications.
6. Data Analysis and Reporting: Once the scanning and data collection phases are complete, the tool analyzes the gathered information and generates comprehensive reports. These reports provide an overview of the discovered assets, their characteristics, vulnerabilities, and potential risks. The reports may also include recommendations for improving security and compliance.

It’s important to note that different automated asset discovery tools may employ varying techniques and approaches, depending on their specific features and capabilities. Some tools may focus on specific types of assets, while others offer broader coverage across the network infrastructure.

Here are some examples of automated asset discovery tools:

1. Rapid7 InsightVM: InsightVM is a vulnerability management solution that includes automated asset discovery capabilities. It scans networks to identify and inventory assets, detect vulnerabilities, and provide insights for remediation.
2. Tenable.io: Tenable.io is a comprehensive cybersecurity platform that includes asset discovery and vulnerability management features. It helps organizations identify and track their assets, assess vulnerabilities, and prioritize remediation efforts.
3. Qualys Asset Inventory: Qualys Asset Inventory is a cloud-based solution that provides continuous asset discovery and inventory management. It automatically discovers and categorizes assets across hybrid environments, providing visibility and control over the organization’s IT infrastructure.
4. SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager: SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager offers automated network discovery and inventory capabilities. It scans networks to identify and map devices, track configuration changes, and ensure compliance with network policies.
5. Nmap (Network Mapper): Nmap is an open-source network scanning tool that can be used for automated asset discovery. It utilizes various scanning techniques to identify hosts, services, and open ports on a network, providing valuable information about the network topology.
6. Open-AudIT: Open-AudIT is a free and open-source network auditing and discovery tool. It automates the discovery and inventory of assets, including hardware, software, and network devices, and provides detailed reports on their configurations and status.

These are just a few examples, and there are several other automated asset discovery tools available in the market, each with its own set of features and functionalities. It’s important to evaluate the specific requirements and objectives of your organization to choose the most suitable tool.

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