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Security Operations · Intermediate

Agent-Based Scanning

Vulnerability assessment using software agents installed on endpoints that report findings to a central console.

Definition

Agents assess hosts continuously or on schedule without network scanning or stored credentials, which suits laptops and cloud workloads that are often offline or off-network. They add management overhead and may not support all platforms.

Example

Remote laptops reporting missing patches through Tenable Nessus Agents while off VPN.

Exam tip

Agents are ideal for mobile and intermittently connected systems.

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