Affordable Network Security Analysis

A corporate network is like the foundation of a house—if there are cracks, the entire structure is at risk.

When a network has unpatched vulnerabilities and lacks regular security audits, it creates an open door for cybercriminals. More often than not, this results in compromised critical systems, stolen personal data, and leaked confidential information.

But what if your budget for a cybersecurity audit is limited? The most practical solution is to use free network security analysis tools to assess and improve protection.

What Is Network Security Analysis?

Network security analysis is designed to identify and address security weaknesses within a company’s infrastructure. The goal is to detect vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, and other potential entry points that hackers could exploit.

Unlike penetration testing (pentesting), which simulates DDoS attacks and other cyber threats to stress-test a network, a security audit encompasses a broader set of tasks, including:

• Assessing the network’s current security status
• Analyzing hardware and software configurations
• Ensuring compliance with security standards (such as ISO 27001, PCI DSS)
• Providing recommendations for strengthening security

Read also: What Can Protect Your Network from DDoS Attacks.

Network security audits typically follow one of two scenarios:

1. Proactive security assessment—audits are conducted on a scheduled basis, allowing companies to strengthen their infrastructure before cyber threats emerge.
2. Post-incident investigation—performed after a security breach to determine its cause and prevent similar incidents in the future.

In both cases, scanning and testing are only the first steps in the security analysis process. A full audit also requires:

• Prioritizing identified vulnerabilities
• Fixing critical security gaps
• Verifying that risks have been properly mitigated
• Documenting findings and implemented solutions.

Is a Network Security Audit Always Expensive?

Hiring a qualified cybersecurity expert to conduct a thorough security audit is a complex and costly process. Many companies choose to outsource security assessments, but external audits come with a high price tag due to:

• High demand for cybersecurity specialists
• The complexity of security testing methodologies
• The experience and reputation of the service provider.

Even if your company decides to conduct an in-house security audit, the process still demands significant resources:

• Time and workforce—IT specialists will need to dedicate valuable hours to analyzing and testing the network.
• Software and hardware investments—many professional security tools require expensive licenses.
• Training and expertise—to effectively use security auditing tools, your team needs proper training, and in some cases, paid courses may be necessary.

How to Reduce Costs?

The easiest way to cut costs is by using free, open-source security tools instead of paid solutions. Fortunately, there are many high-quality open-source options available, including:

• Nmap, Zmap, Masscan—open-source network scanners that help detect vulnerabilities, active hosts, and open ports.
• Wireshark, Mitmproxy—tools for real-time network traffic analysis.
• OpenVAS—a vulnerability scanner that identifies weaknesses in network devices and software.
• Open-source DDoS testing tools—designed to simulate attacks on a company’s network infrastructure. 

Learn more: Why DDoS testing is important.

However, regardless of whether a tool is free or paid, it must be used correctly. Without proper knowledge and expertise, companies risk:

• Generating false positives, which lead to unnecessary security measures.
• Overlooking critical vulnerabilities, leaving systems exposed.
• Accidentally overloading the network, causing service disruptions.

Trying to save money on cybersecurity can ultimately lead to significant financial losses.

If your company lacks qualified cybersecurity professionals, it’s best to entrust the task to experts. While professional services come at a cost, they offer:

• Reliable and guaranteed results.
• Faster security risk assessments.
• Minimized risks and vulnerabilities.

The same principle applies to DDoS protection. Free tools may appear to be a viable solution, but their real-world effectiveness and ability to handle attacks without expert vendor support remain questionable.