Practical Nessus Vulnerability Scanning

Master Nessus Scanning Techniques with Real Labs and Step-by-Step Tutorials

What you'll learn
Understand the fundamentals of vulnerability management
Install and configure Nessus on Windows and Linux
Explore Nessus product editions, licensing, and user interface.
Perform basic and advanced vulnerability scans using pre-built and custom scan templates.
Understand and use scan policies, credentials, and plugin configurations effectively.
Conduct authenticated and unauthenticated scans.
Analyze scan results, generate detailed reports, and interpret vulnerability severity.
Simulate real attacks by scanning vulnerable machines in a lab environment.
Use Nessus for compliance checking.
Create and manage scan policies, credentials, and plugin settings.

Requirements
Basic understanding of networking concepts.
Familiarity with operating systems like Windows and Linux.
Virtualization software like VMware Workstation and EVE NG.
No prior experience with Nessus is required.
A PC or laptop capable of running virtualization tools.

Description
Course Description:Are you ready to master one of the most powerful tools in vulnerability assessment?Welcome to Practical Nessus Vulnerability Scanning — a comprehensive, hands-on course designed to teach you how to effectively use Tenable Nessus, the industry-leading vulnerability scanner used by cybersecurity professionals around the world.Whether you're a cybersecurity beginner, network administrator, or a security analyst preparing for certifications like CEH, Security+, or OSCP, this course will help you build real-world skills to identify, assess, and report vulnerabilities in any environment.You'll gain hands-on experience by building a real-world lab using EVE-NG, configuring vulnerable targets, and performing both credentialed and non-credentialed scans. This course equips you with practical skills to identify, analyze, and mitigate vulnerabilities across a variety of operating systems and network devices.Who This Course is For:Cybersecurity students and IT professionals looking to upskillEthical hackers, SOC analysts, and penetration testersNetwork/system admins who want to enhance their organization’s securityAnyone interested in learning Nessus through real-world, practical examplesWhat You'll Learn:Introduction & Fundamentals:Start by understanding the core concepts of vulnerabilities and vulnerability management. Learn about the lifecycle of vulnerability handling, common vulnerabilities and exposures (CVE), and how to interpret risk using the Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS). Dive into the Nessus ecosystem, exploring its product editions and licensing options.Lab Environment Setup with EVE-NG:Gain practical experience by setting up a full virtual lab environment using EVE-NG. You’ll install and configure Kali Linux, switches, Nessus lab images, and firewalls to simulate a realistic network topology — the perfect playground to test and scan.Installing Nessus:Get step-by-step guidance on obtaining the Nessus Essentials license and installing Nessus on multiple platforms, including Windows 11, Ubuntu Linux, and Kali Linux. Explore the web interface to get comfortable with its features and navigation.Scanning & Analysis:Master Nessus scanning with detailed lessons on scan templates, severity levels, and different scanning methods. Perform discovery scans like ping-only and host discovery, as well as OS identification. Understand the critical difference between credentialed and non-credentialed scans through practical labs.Advanced Scanning:Advance your skills with complex scanning techniques including Active Directory, FortiGate firewalls, and Cisco switches vulnerability assessments. Explore dynamic scans tailored for large and diverse networks.By the end of this course, you'll confidently perform vulnerability assessments using Nessus, interpret results accurately, and apply your skills in real-world security environments.

Who this course is for:
Ethical Hackers & Penetration Testers, Network admins and system engineers, Students preparing for security certifications, Cybersecurity beginners and IT professionals, Anyone interested in hands-on Nessus experience, Anyone Interested in Scanning