Why Continuous Vulnerability Management Can’t Wait
Oct 9, 2025
Why Continuous Vulnerability Management Can’t Wait
For Managed Service Providers (MSPs), the role of “trusted advisor” has never been more demanding, or essential. Clients don’t just look to you for patches, backups, and login issues. They expect proactive protection against increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.
That expectation makes vulnerability management one of the most critical, yet most misunderstood, areas of MSP responsibility.
During a recent episode of The Cool Kids Table Podcast, Helpt co-founders, Matthew Pincus and David Sohn, sat down with Frank Raimondi, VP of Channel Alliances and Partnerships at Nodeware and IGI Cybersecurity, to unpack where MSPs are getting it wrong, and how they can build stronger, more resilient client relationships by getting it right.
For context before we begin: Nodeware provides vulnerability management and continuous scanning, while IGI Cybersecurity provides professional cybersecurity services, including penetration testing, compliance readiness, and CMMC readiness.
Vulnerability Management Isn’t a Checkbox
The main misconception Frank addressed is that vulnerability management only needs to occur monthly or quarterly. He argued it needs to be continuous.
Vulnerabilities don’t appear on a neat calendar cycle. They emerge everyday, often in ways that exploit brand-new weaknesses in widely deployed systems. If you’re only scanning every 30 or 90 days, you’re essentially leaving windows wide open for attackers to crawl in through in the meantime.
Think about it this way:
Would you only lock your office once a quarter?
Would you only check your firewall logs once a month?
Would you tell your clients you’ll “get back to them” after a ransomware group has already gained access?
Of course not. The same logic applies here: if you’re not continuously scanning and remediating, you aren’t protecting your customers.
The “Too Expensive” Myth
Another stumbling block Frank often hears: MSPs assuming continuous vulnerability management is too costly.
But here’s the truth: modern vulnerability management platforms, like Nodeware, are designed to integrate seamlessly with existing MSP workflows. They’re lightweight, cost-effective, and often come with built-in remediation guidance that reduces technician time.
Compared to the financial, reputational, and operational cost of a breach? Continuous scanning is one of the smartest investments you can make.
What the Data Tells Us
If you need proof that continuous scanning is essential, look no further than the Verizon 2025 Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR). Unfortunately, the findings aren’t encouraging.
They state, “We are not pleased to report that the challenges involving vulnerability management continued throughout the last year, with a very concerning complicating factor. A good number of vulnerabilities that had significant impact—anecdotally from presence in ransomware and Espionage-motivated campaigns as well as overall media coverage—were targeting devices organizations deploy on the edge of their internet perimeter. That means they are right there, in the open, for any other device on the internet to target.”
Translation? Many of the worst vulnerabilities last year weren’t buried deep in internal systems. They were sitting on the front porch, wide open to anyone online. If you aren’t continuously scanning and patching those perimeter devices, you’ll leave your clients exposed to some of the easiest and most damaging attacks out there.
Continuous Vulnerability Management: The CIS Controls That Makes the Difference
The DBIR doesn’t just highlight the problem. It also underscores the importance of proven defenses. At the top of that list is Continuous Vulnerability Management, one of the core CIS Controls recommended for protecting devices.
As the CIS framework puts it, the goal is to: “...continuously assess and track vulnerabilities on all enterprise assets within the enterprise’s infrastructure, in order to remediate, and minimize, the window of opportunity for attackers. Monitor public and private industry sources for new threat and vulnerability information.”
In plain English? Continuous vulnerability management is about always knowing where your weaknesses are, keeping an eye on emerging threats, and acting fast to close gaps before attackers can take advantage of them.
And as the DBIR makes clear, continuous vulnerability management directly addresses three of the top four attack patterns that MSP clients face today: system intrusion, basic web application attacks, and miscellaneous errors.
Top Threats for MSPs to Combat
Here’s a closer look at what the DBIR uncovered:
System Intrusion: The #1 Threat Pattern
System Intrusion remains the top pattern across every industry, region, and business size.
Manufacturing led with 1,227 incidents, followed by Professional Services (980) and the Information segment (625).
“The System Intrusion pattern is typically where the more sophisticated attacks land. Ransomware actors fall into this pattern—ransomware is a problem across all industries and is only getting worse.”
Basic Web Application Attacks
Finance led with 205 incidents, followed by the Information segment (191) and Public Administration (175).
Ranked in the top three attack patterns for Agriculture, Information, Transportation, Construction, Mining & Utilities, and Professional Services.
Impacted both small and large businesses indiscriminately.
Miscellaneous Errors
Healthcare led with 313 incidents, followed by Education (224) and Public Administration (222).
Ranked in the top three attack patterns for Administrative, Entertainment, Real Estate, and Other Services.
Ranked in the top three attack patterns for the EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) region.
The DBIR findings make one thing clear: MSPs face a constantly evolving threat landscape where system intrusions, basic web application attacks, and miscellaneous errors are top of mind. While these threats impact businesses of all sizes and sectors, certain industries consistently appear at the top of the list: Professional Services, Information, and Public Administration. These sectors should be especially vigilant, prioritizing proactive security measures and robust incident response plans. For MSPs, staying ahead means not just reacting to threats but anticipating them: protecting clients before attackers have a chance to strike.
Why Nodeware Stands Out
Plenty of tools claim to simplify vulnerability management, but Frank highlighted a few reasons Nodeware stands out:
Ease of deployment: You can start protecting clients without lengthy setups or disruptions.
Remediation recipes: Step-by-step guides that reduce technician guesswork and shorten resolution times.
Good UI/UX: A clean, intuitive interface means your team spends less time wrestling with dashboards and more time securing clients.
These features matter because they don’t just improve security—they also improve efficiency, profitability, and client satisfaction.
Covering All Bases: Security + Support
Even with the right tools in place, continuous vulnerability management still requires time and focus. And let’s be honest. Many MSP teams are already stretched thin.
That’s where Helpt steps in.
This year, we partnered with Nodeware to make compliance and vulnerability management easier than ever. Together, we give your team the bandwidth to focus on what matters most.
When your technicians are buried under help desk tickets, after-hours calls, or routine triage, Helpt’s 24x7, US-based live technical answering services step in to handle the load, while Nodeware helps keep your environment secure and compliant. Our teams can assist with:
✔️ One-time vulnerability cleanups or ongoing remediation
✔️ Hands-off compliance support: no extra staff needed
✔️ No long-term contracts: use us when you need us
With Helpt + Nodeware, you get seamless support and proactive security without the overwhelm.
Buy back your time with Helpt.
About the Author
Alyssa Reed
Content Writer
After establishing her foundational skills as a content writer and marketing professional while working for small businesses and non-profits, Alyssa began working within the IT industry. Since then, she has specialized in crafting content for B2B marketing strategies for Managed Service Providers, as well as help desk and cybersecurity service providers. With a background in Journalism, she especially enjoys the social aspect that comes with being a writer. Whether it's interviewing a customer about a recent win for a case study or chatting with a coworker about their area of expertise for a slick sheet, it excites her that those stories can inspire action, add value, and increase trust.
Why Continuous Vulnerability Management Can’t Wait
For Managed Service Providers (MSPs), the role of “trusted advisor” has never been more demanding, or essential. Clients don’t just look to you for patches, backups, and login issues. They expect proactive protection against increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.
That expectation makes vulnerability management one of the most critical, yet most misunderstood, areas of MSP responsibility.
During a recent episode of The Cool Kids Table Podcast, Helpt co-founders, Matthew Pincus and David Sohn, sat down with Frank Raimondi, VP of Channel Alliances and Partnerships at Nodeware and IGI Cybersecurity, to unpack where MSPs are getting it wrong, and how they can build stronger, more resilient client relationships by getting it right.
For context before we begin: Nodeware provides vulnerability management and continuous scanning, while IGI Cybersecurity provides professional cybersecurity services, including penetration testing, compliance readiness, and CMMC readiness.
Vulnerability Management Isn’t a Checkbox
The main misconception Frank addressed is that vulnerability management only needs to occur monthly or quarterly. He argued it needs to be continuous.
Vulnerabilities don’t appear on a neat calendar cycle. They emerge everyday, often in ways that exploit brand-new weaknesses in widely deployed systems. If you’re only scanning every 30 or 90 days, you’re essentially leaving windows wide open for attackers to crawl in through in the meantime.
Think about it this way:
Would you only lock your office once a quarter?
Would you only check your firewall logs once a month?
Would you tell your clients you’ll “get back to them” after a ransomware group has already gained access?
Of course not. The same logic applies here: if you’re not continuously scanning and remediating, you aren’t protecting your customers.
The “Too Expensive” Myth
Another stumbling block Frank often hears: MSPs assuming continuous vulnerability management is too costly.
But here’s the truth: modern vulnerability management platforms, like Nodeware, are designed to integrate seamlessly with existing MSP workflows. They’re lightweight, cost-effective, and often come with built-in remediation guidance that reduces technician time.
Compared to the financial, reputational, and operational cost of a breach? Continuous scanning is one of the smartest investments you can make.
What the Data Tells Us
If you need proof that continuous scanning is essential, look no further than the Verizon 2025 Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR). Unfortunately, the findings aren’t encouraging.
They state, “We are not pleased to report that the challenges involving vulnerability management continued throughout the last year, with a very concerning complicating factor. A good number of vulnerabilities that had significant impact—anecdotally from presence in ransomware and Espionage-motivated campaigns as well as overall media coverage—were targeting devices organizations deploy on the edge of their internet perimeter. That means they are right there, in the open, for any other device on the internet to target.”
Translation? Many of the worst vulnerabilities last year weren’t buried deep in internal systems. They were sitting on the front porch, wide open to anyone online. If you aren’t continuously scanning and patching those perimeter devices, you’ll leave your clients exposed to some of the easiest and most damaging attacks out there.
Continuous Vulnerability Management: The CIS Controls That Makes the Difference
The DBIR doesn’t just highlight the problem. It also underscores the importance of proven defenses. At the top of that list is Continuous Vulnerability Management, one of the core CIS Controls recommended for protecting devices.
As the CIS framework puts it, the goal is to: “...continuously assess and track vulnerabilities on all enterprise assets within the enterprise’s infrastructure, in order to remediate, and minimize, the window of opportunity for attackers. Monitor public and private industry sources for new threat and vulnerability information.”
In plain English? Continuous vulnerability management is about always knowing where your weaknesses are, keeping an eye on emerging threats, and acting fast to close gaps before attackers can take advantage of them.
And as the DBIR makes clear, continuous vulnerability management directly addresses three of the top four attack patterns that MSP clients face today: system intrusion, basic web application attacks, and miscellaneous errors.
Top Threats for MSPs to Combat
Here’s a closer look at what the DBIR uncovered:
System Intrusion: The #1 Threat Pattern
System Intrusion remains the top pattern across every industry, region, and business size.
Manufacturing led with 1,227 incidents, followed by Professional Services (980) and the Information segment (625).
“The System Intrusion pattern is typically where the more sophisticated attacks land. Ransomware actors fall into this pattern—ransomware is a problem across all industries and is only getting worse.”
Basic Web Application Attacks
Finance led with 205 incidents, followed by the Information segment (191) and Public Administration (175).
Ranked in the top three attack patterns for Agriculture, Information, Transportation, Construction, Mining & Utilities, and Professional Services.
Impacted both small and large businesses indiscriminately.
Miscellaneous Errors
Healthcare led with 313 incidents, followed by Education (224) and Public Administration (222).
Ranked in the top three attack patterns for Administrative, Entertainment, Real Estate, and Other Services.
Ranked in the top three attack patterns for the EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) region.
The DBIR findings make one thing clear: MSPs face a constantly evolving threat landscape where system intrusions, basic web application attacks, and miscellaneous errors are top of mind. While these threats impact businesses of all sizes and sectors, certain industries consistently appear at the top of the list: Professional Services, Information, and Public Administration. These sectors should be especially vigilant, prioritizing proactive security measures and robust incident response plans. For MSPs, staying ahead means not just reacting to threats but anticipating them: protecting clients before attackers have a chance to strike.
Why Nodeware Stands Out
Plenty of tools claim to simplify vulnerability management, but Frank highlighted a few reasons Nodeware stands out:
Ease of deployment: You can start protecting clients without lengthy setups or disruptions.
Remediation recipes: Step-by-step guides that reduce technician guesswork and shorten resolution times.
Good UI/UX: A clean, intuitive interface means your team spends less time wrestling with dashboards and more time securing clients.
These features matter because they don’t just improve security—they also improve efficiency, profitability, and client satisfaction.
Covering All Bases: Security + Support
Even with the right tools in place, continuous vulnerability management still requires time and focus. And let’s be honest. Many MSP teams are already stretched thin.
That’s where Helpt steps in.
This year, we partnered with Nodeware to make compliance and vulnerability management easier than ever. Together, we give your team the bandwidth to focus on what matters most.
When your technicians are buried under help desk tickets, after-hours calls, or routine triage, Helpt’s 24x7, US-based live technical answering services step in to handle the load, while Nodeware helps keep your environment secure and compliant. Our teams can assist with:
✔️ One-time vulnerability cleanups or ongoing remediation
✔️ Hands-off compliance support: no extra staff needed
✔️ No long-term contracts: use us when you need us
With Helpt + Nodeware, you get seamless support and proactive security without the overwhelm.
Buy back your time with Helpt.
About the Author
Alyssa Reed
Content Writer
After establishing her foundational skills as a content writer and marketing professional while working for small businesses and non-profits, Alyssa began working within the IT industry. Since then, she has specialized in crafting content for B2B marketing strategies for Managed Service Providers, as well as help desk and cybersecurity service providers. With a background in Journalism, she especially enjoys the social aspect that comes with being a writer. Whether it's interviewing a customer about a recent win for a case study or chatting with a coworker about their area of expertise for a slick sheet, it excites her that those stories can inspire action, add value, and increase trust.
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Stop Answering Calls.
Start Driving Growth.
Let Helpt's US-based technicians handle your support calls 24x7 while your team focuses on what matters most.
Stop Answering Calls.
Start Driving Growth.
Let Helpt's US-based technicians handle your support calls 24x7 while your team focuses on what matters most.
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