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What is Nessus?

Industry Specialties: Serves all industries.

Tenable Nessus is a sophisticated vulnerability scanner designed to identify and assess security vulnerabilities across various systems and networks. It is particularly well-suited for IT professionals and security teams in industries such as finance, healthcare, and government, where robust security measures are crucial. The software offers comprehensive scanning capabilities, including configuration audits, malware detection, and compliance checks, making it a valuable tool for maintaining cybersecurity. Users appreciate its intuitive interface and detailed reporting features, which streamline the vulnerability management process. Nessus is known for its accuracy and efficiency, often praised for its ability to quickly identify potential threats. Pricing for Tenable Nessus typically involves a subscription model, with costs varying based on the number of assets and the level of support required. For precise pricing details, it is advisable to contact SelectHub for a tailored quote. Nessus stands out for its reliability and depth of analysis compared to similar products.
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#1

Nessus is ranked #1 in the Vulnerability Management Software product directory based on the latest available data collected by SelectHub. Compare the leaders with our In-Depth Report.

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Nessus Pricing

Based on our most recent analysis, Nessus pricing starts at $3,990 (Annually).

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Starting From
$3,990
Pricing Model
Annually
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Training Resources

Nessus is supported with the following types of training:

Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars

Support

The following support services are available for Nessus:

Email
Phone
Chat
FAQ
Forum
Help Desk
Knowledge Base
Tickets
Training
24/7 Live Support

Nessus Benefits and Insights

Why use Nessus?

Key differentiators & advantages of Nessus

  • Comprehensive Vulnerability Detection: Tenable Nessus excels in identifying a wide range of vulnerabilities across various systems, ensuring that potential security gaps are detected before they can be exploited.
  • Regular Updates: The software benefits from frequent updates, which incorporate the latest threat intelligence, allowing it to recognize and mitigate emerging vulnerabilities effectively.
  • Customizable Scans: Users can tailor scans to focus on specific areas of concern, optimizing resource use and ensuring that critical assets receive the most attention.
  • Ease of Use: With an intuitive interface, Nessus simplifies the process of setting up and managing scans, making it accessible even to those with limited cybersecurity expertise.
  • Detailed Reporting: Nessus provides comprehensive reports that include detailed findings and actionable recommendations, aiding in the prioritization and remediation of vulnerabilities.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility: The software supports a wide array of operating systems and environments, ensuring that diverse IT infrastructures can be scanned without compatibility issues.
  • Cost-Effective Solution: Nessus offers a robust set of features at a competitive price point, making it an attractive option for organizations looking to enhance their security posture without breaking the bank.
  • Community Support: As part of the Tenable ecosystem, Nessus users benefit from a vibrant community and extensive documentation, facilitating knowledge sharing and problem-solving.
  • Integration Capabilities: Nessus can seamlessly integrate with other security tools and platforms, enhancing its utility and allowing for a more cohesive security strategy.
  • Proactive Security Posture: By identifying vulnerabilities before they are exploited, Nessus helps organizations maintain a proactive approach to cybersecurity, reducing the risk of breaches.
  • Scalability: Whether for small businesses or large enterprises, Nessus scales to meet the needs of different organizations, providing flexibility as security requirements evolve.
  • Compliance Assurance: Nessus assists in meeting regulatory requirements by providing the necessary tools to ensure compliance with standards such as PCI DSS, HIPAA, and more.
  • Reduced Downtime: By identifying and addressing vulnerabilities promptly, Nessus helps minimize the risk of system downtime due to security incidents.
  • Enhanced Risk Management: The insights provided by Nessus enable organizations to better understand their risk landscape and make informed decisions about resource allocation and security investments.
  • Automation Capabilities: Nessus supports automation of routine tasks, freeing up valuable time for IT teams to focus on more strategic initiatives.

Industry Expertise

Tenable Nessus is a vulnerability assessment solution that is best suited for security professionals, consultants, developers, and pentesters who need to assess both traditional and modern attack surfaces. It provides comprehensive visibility into vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, and non-compliant conditions across a variety of operating systems, devices, and applications.

Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

Based on an aggregate of Nessus reviews taken from the sources above, the following pros & cons have been curated by a SelectHub Market Analyst.

Pros

  • Ease of Use: Users frequently highlight how user-friendly the Tenable Nessus interface is, making it simple to navigate and execute tasks.
  • Comprehensive Vulnerability Database: Tenable Nessus is lauded for its extensive vulnerability database, which is continually updated with the latest threats, ensuring comprehensive security coverage.
  • Detailed Reporting: Users appreciate the software's ability to generate detailed reports, which provide valuable insights into security vulnerabilities and help prioritize remediation efforts.

Cons

  • False Positives: While known for comprehensiveness, Nessus scans sometimes generate false positives, demanding extra effort from security teams to validate findings.
  • Scan Duration: Nessus scans can be time-consuming, potentially impacting operational workflows depending on the size and complexity of the network environment.
  • Pricing: The cost of the professional version, which unlocks the full feature set, is a significant barrier for some users, particularly those with budget constraints.

Researcher's Summary:

Is Tenable Nessus really tenable, or does it fall short in the ever-evolving cybersecurity landscape? User reviews from the past year reveal a mixed bag. While Tenable Nessus is generally lauded for its user-friendly interface and comprehensive vulnerability database, some users have raised concerns about its limitations. For instance, one user highlighted the platform's frequent updates as a strength, stating that it helps in "making the security system more effective," while another user pointed out the extended scanning times as a drawback. A key differentiating factor is Tenable Nessus's pricing model, which is based on the number of IP addresses scanned rather than per user, making it a cost-effective solution for organizations with large networks. However, this affordability comes at a price, as some users have reported limited reporting and vulnerability management features in the professional version.

Despite these drawbacks, Tenable Nessus remains a popular choice for organizations of all sizes, particularly those prioritizing ease of use and comprehensive vulnerability detection. Its intuitive interface makes it accessible to both seasoned security professionals and those new to vulnerability management. The platform's extensive vulnerability database, updated regularly, ensures that organizations can stay ahead of emerging threats. However, organizations requiring advanced reporting features or sophisticated vulnerability management capabilities may need to consider other options or invest in additional tools to complement Tenable Nessus. Ultimately, Tenable Nessus proves most suitable for organizations seeking a user-friendly and comprehensive vulnerability scanner that balances cost-effectiveness with essential security features.

Key Features

Notable Tenable Nessus features include:

  • Comprehensive Vulnerability Coverage: Nessus provides extensive coverage for over 50,000 vulnerabilities, ensuring thorough scanning across various systems and applications.
  • Customizable Reporting: Users can generate detailed reports tailored to specific needs, including executive summaries and compliance checks, facilitating better decision-making.
  • Real-Time Threat Intelligence: The software integrates with Tenable Research to deliver up-to-date threat intelligence, helping users stay ahead of emerging vulnerabilities.
  • Agent-Based and Agentless Scanning: Nessus supports both agent-based and agentless scanning, offering flexibility in how scans are conducted across different environments.
  • Configuration Auditing: It allows for auditing of system configurations against industry standards such as CIS and DISA STIGs, ensuring compliance and security best practices.
  • Live Results: This feature provides immediate feedback on scan results, allowing users to quickly assess and address vulnerabilities without waiting for the entire scan to complete.
  • Integration Capabilities: Nessus can be integrated with various security tools and platforms, such as SIEMs and ticketing systems, to streamline vulnerability management workflows.
  • Advanced Scan Scheduling: Users can schedule scans to run at specific times or intervals, minimizing disruption to network operations and ensuring regular vulnerability assessments.
  • Plugin Updates: Nessus regularly updates its plugins to include the latest vulnerability checks, ensuring that scans are always current and effective.
  • Policy Templates: Pre-configured policy templates simplify the setup process for common scan types, allowing users to quickly initiate scans with minimal configuration.
  • Credentialed and Non-Credentialed Scans: The software supports both credentialed and non-credentialed scans, providing flexibility in how in-depth the vulnerability assessments can be.
  • Web Application Scanning: Nessus includes capabilities for scanning web applications, identifying vulnerabilities such as SQL injection and cross-site scripting.
  • Mobile Device Scanning: It offers scanning capabilities for mobile devices, ensuring that vulnerabilities in mobile environments are also addressed.
  • Cloud Environment Support: Nessus can scan cloud environments, including AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud, identifying vulnerabilities specific to cloud infrastructure.
  • Role-Based Access Control: The software provides role-based access control, allowing organizations to manage user permissions and access to scan data effectively.
  • Interactive Dashboards: Nessus features interactive dashboards that provide visual insights into vulnerability data, helping users quickly identify and prioritize risks.
  • Remediation Guidance: The tool offers detailed remediation guidance for identified vulnerabilities, assisting users in effectively addressing security issues.
  • Support for Multiple Operating Systems: Nessus is compatible with a wide range of operating systems, including Windows, Linux, and macOS, ensuring broad applicability.
  • Scalability: Designed to scale from small to large environments, Nessus can handle the vulnerability management needs of organizations of varying sizes.
  • Community and Professional Editions: Nessus offers both community and professional editions, catering to different user needs and budgets.
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