Certified - CompTIA CYSA+

Welcome to Episode 66 of your CYSA Plus Prep cast. In this episode, we will explore essential network scanning and mapping tools, which are among the most valuable resources a cybersecurity analyst can master. These tools play a foundational role in identifying active devices, understanding open services, discovering misconfigurations, and visualizing network architecture. Analysts use these tools to build network inventories, detect vulnerabilities, identify rogue systems, and maintain overall situational awareness of the digital environment. Whether you are responsible for vulnerability management, asset inventory, threat hunting, or compliance reporting, having a solid command of scanning and mapping tools directly supports your ability to defend the network and is a vital area of knowledge for success on the CYSA Plus exam.
Let us begin by defining network scanning. Network scanning is the systematic process of probing and evaluating devices within a network to identify which systems are live, which ports are open, what services are running, and how those systems are configured. Scanning helps analysts discover known and unknown devices and assess their security exposure. The data collected during network scanning serves as the starting point for many other cybersecurity tasks, including vulnerability assessments, asset management, and threat modeling. It also enables analysts to identify unauthorized or misconfigured systems that may introduce risk to the organization.
One of the most widely used tools for network scanning is Nmap, short for Network Mapper. Nmap is an open-source utility capable of performing everything from simple ping sweeps to complex port scans and OS fingerprinting. Analysts use Nmap to determine which hosts are available on the network, which services those hosts are offering, what operating systems they are running, and what types of packet filters or firewalls are in place. Nmap’s scripting engine also allows analysts to automate detection of specific vulnerabilities or services, making it both powerful and flexible.
Nmap is especially useful for building an inventory of connected devices. By scanning segments of the internal network or public-facing ranges, analysts generate a comprehensive list of live systems and active ports. This information helps confirm which systems are legitimate and which may require further investigation. It also allows teams to validate segmentation, firewall configurations, and endpoint status. When combined with vulnerability scanning and SIM integration, Nmap results contribute to a holistic understanding of network posture.
Another common scanning tool is Angry IP Scanner. This lightweight, cross-platform tool offers a fast and straightforward way to identify active hosts on a network. Analysts use Angry IP Scanner to perform quick sweeps of local network segments, identifying which IP addresses are responding to pings and which ports are open. While it lacks the advanced scripting and fingerprinting features of Nmap, its speed and simplicity make it ideal for rapid assessments, network mapping in smaller environments, or initial reconnaissance before deeper scanning.
For analysts working in large-scale environments, Masscan is a useful tool for high-speed scanning. Masscan can scan entire subnets, network blocks, or IP ranges in just minutes, making it ideal for discovering active hosts across massive address spaces. It is commonly used for visibility into cloud environments, internet-exposed infrastructure, or rapid discovery during incident response. While Masscan does not provide the detailed analysis of some other scanners, it excels at finding systems quickly so that analysts can target them for further investigation.
In the context of vulnerability detection, analysts often turn to comprehensive scanners such as Nessus, Qualys, or OpenVAS. These tools do more than just detect live hosts—they identify missing patches, outdated software versions, insecure configurations, and known vulnerabilities. Vulnerability scanners use databases of signatures and tests to evaluate the state of each system, providing detailed remediation guidance. These scanners can often be customized to suit organizational risk tolerance and compliance mandates.
Credentialed scans enhance the power of vulnerability scanners. By providing the scanning tool with valid user credentials, analysts gain deeper access into the systems. Credentialed scans allow tools like Nessus to inspect registry keys, installed software, configuration settings, and patch levels that are not visible through uncredentialed scans. This level of access improves accuracy, reduces false positives, and helps detect misconfigurations that would otherwise be missed. Credentialed scanning is often required for compliance and is a key component of internal vulnerability assessments.
Network scanning is also commonly integrated into automated asset inventory platforms. Tools like Lansweeper and Spiceworks perform routine network discovery and asset classification by continuously scanning for new devices. These tools automatically record device information, such as operating system version, installed software, user activity, and network configuration. Analysts use them to build and maintain asset inventories, validate system configurations, and track unauthorized changes over time. Integration with ticketing systems and SIM platforms enables analysts to respond to risks more efficiently.
Despite the benefits, scanning must be carefully planned to avoid disrupting operations. Scans that generate excessive traffic or probe sensitive systems can degrade performance, trigger alerts, or cause unexpected behavior. Analysts schedule scans during off-peak hours or maintenance windows to reduce risk. They also coordinate with system owners to confirm scanning scope, frequency, and intensity. Proper planning ensures scanning activities provide valuable insights without compromising system availability or stability.
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Now let us shift our focus to network mapping and visualization tools. While scanning tools are designed to discover and interrogate network assets, mapping tools allow analysts to visually represent those discoveries. Network mapping helps create a topological view of an organization’s infrastructure, showing how devices are connected, how data flows between them, and where the network may be exposed. This visual representation aids in understanding complex environments and is particularly useful during threat analysis, vulnerability assessments, or incident response planning.
A core function of network mapping tools is to translate raw scan data into intuitive visual diagrams. These diagrams can reveal overlooked devices, identify bottlenecks, and expose unauthorized systems or network paths. By visually correlating device relationships, analysts detect potential attack paths, security gaps, or architecture misconfigurations that are not easily identified through lists or tabular scan data. These tools also improve communication with non-technical stakeholders by making network structures easier to explain and interpret.
One of the most well-known network mapping tools is Maltego. Maltego specializes in link analysis and visual representation of relationships between entities such as IP addresses, domains, services, users, and infrastructure components. Analysts use Maltego to map external infrastructure, investigate suspicious connections, or uncover related systems during threat hunts. It integrates with threat intelligence platforms and external data sources, allowing for enriched investigations. Maltego is particularly useful in incident response scenarios and external reconnaissance.
Maltego also provides strong integration capabilities with third-party services and internal data feeds. Analysts can combine scan data with real-world threat actor indicators to build a fuller picture of the attack surface. For example, Maltego might correlate a suspicious domain discovered during a scan with known phishing campaigns or malicious infrastructure. This fusion of internal and external data helps analysts prioritize risks and act quickly. It also supports digital forensics, allowing teams to reconstruct how an attacker might pivot through a compromised network.
Another highly effective tool is SolarWinds Network Topology Mapper. This software automatically scans and maps networks, displaying physical and logical relationships between devices. It discovers routers, switches, servers, and virtual assets, then generates accurate topology diagrams. Analysts use it to maintain up-to-date maps of network infrastructure, which can be referenced during audits, reconfiguration planning, or incident response. SolarWinds also tracks network changes over time, making it easier to detect unexpected modifications or device appearances.
In more dynamic environments, tools like PRTG Network Monitor or ManageEngine OpManager are also popular. These platforms offer both network monitoring and topology mapping capabilities. They provide real-time visibility into device health, bandwidth usage, port status, and service availability. Analysts can use these tools to observe live traffic flows, receive alerts about anomalous behavior, and view topology updates as the environment evolves. This constant awareness supports both operational uptime and proactive cybersecurity.
Modern Security Information and Event Management platforms often include or support network mapping features. Tools like Splunk or the Elastic Stack can ingest and visualize data from various scanning and monitoring sources. Analysts use built-in dashboards or custom visualizations to map relationships between assets, track traffic patterns, and monitor segmentation boundaries. Visual mapping within SIM platforms enhances correlation of log data with asset context, helping analysts interpret alerts and trace incidents across the environment.
Effective network mapping is a powerful asset in threat hunting activities. Analysts use visual maps to explore how systems communicate, looking for unexpected traffic patterns or unapproved routes between network segments. These visualizations help identify lateral movement, unauthorized internal scanning, or policy violations. By understanding how attackers might traverse the environment, analysts can harden weak points, improve segmentation, and deploy controls in the right locations.
Maintaining current network maps is essential for accuracy and security. After system upgrades, topology changes, or network reconfigurations, analysts update maps to reflect the new state. This ensures that visual representations match reality and that critical paths or interdependencies are not overlooked. Updated maps are also valuable during investigations, enabling teams to trace incidents more effectively. During audits, accurate maps provide evidence of asset awareness and security oversight.
Comprehensive documentation supports the effectiveness and sustainability of both scanning and mapping efforts. Analysts record tool configurations, scanning schedules, data sources, visualization parameters, and update routines. They also track the integration of scan results with vulnerability management, SIM platforms, and asset inventories. This documentation ensures that scanning and mapping practices are repeatable, auditable, and consistent across teams and time periods. It also supports onboarding of new team members and transfer of responsibilities during organizational changes.
To summarize Episode 66, mastering network scanning and mapping tools equips cybersecurity analysts with the ability to discover hidden vulnerabilities, visualize system relationships, and maintain accurate awareness of the network landscape. Tools such as Nmap, Maltego, Nessus, and SolarWinds Network Topology Mapper provide the data and visual context needed to manage network risk, validate segmentation, and detect unauthorized activity. These tools are foundational to cybersecurity operations and directly aligned with CYSA Plus exam objectives. With the right tools, knowledge, and documentation practices, analysts can secure networks more effectively and respond to emerging threats with greater confidence. Stay tuned as we continue your comprehensive journey toward CYSA Plus certification success.