Introducing Qualys Context XDR: the Difference between Chaos & Clarity

In my role as a product leader, I have the pleasure of meeting security practitioners from organizations big and small, across multiple industry segments and geographies. No matter how large or small their budget or staff is, how much they’ve invested in their tech stack or how much experience th...

It’s a Wrap! QSC 2021 Las Vegas Laid Out Problems, Solutions and Innovation

Although organizations have made moves toward it for years, digital transformation, in a way, has only just begun. The pandemic may have accelerated migration to the cloud but going forward business will drive continued transformation—and innovation. But to get the most out of the investments in...

Qualys Cloud Platform (VM, PC) 8.18.1 New Features

The patch release of the Qualys Cloud Platform, version 8.18.1.0-1, includes new support for HashiCorp Vaults as well as for Virtual Scanner Appliance for OCI and OCI-Classic Platforms. Feature Highlights Support for HashiCorp Vaults – This release adds a new vault type that can be used to retrie...

Implementing the CIS 20 Critical Security Controls: Make Your InfoSec Foundation Rock Solid

For almost 10 years, thousands of organizations eager to solidify their security and compliance foundations have found clarity and direction in the the Center for Internet Security’s Critical Security Controls CSCs. This structured set of 20 foundational InfoSec best practices, first published in...

Qualys Cloud Suite 8.10.2 New Features

This new patch release of the Qualys Cloud Suite, version 8.10.2, includes updates to shared platform features, a new role for user management, and expanded Policy Compliance platform support. Feature Highlights Qualys Cloud Platform Limit number of external scanners – You can now limit the numbe...

Qualys Cloud Platform 2.27 New Features

This release of the Qualys Cloud Platform version 2.27 includes updates and new features for Cloud Agent and AssetView as follows: Highlights Platform / Cloud Agent API Host Asset Management API – updated to query on and return additional Cloud Agent attributes. The new attribute fields are not...

Qualys Introduces Real-Time Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM) for Faster Risk Detection and Remediation

Key Takeaways Cloud environments change continuously, while security still relies on periodic scans, leaving gaps where risks go undetected. That gap becomes exposure. Qualys Real-Time CSPM monitors cloud changes as they happen, while still supporting periodic scans for environments that require...

The New Era of Application Security: Reasoning-Based Agents, Runtime Reality, and Risk Intelligence

Key Takeaways AI reasoning systems improve vulnerability detection in source code, but do not address the full spectrum of application security risk. Modern application security must account for APIs, runtime environments, and externally exposed assets beyond the source repository. Continuous...

Unauthenticated Authentication Bypass in Fortinet FortiWeb (CVE-2025-64446) Exploited in the Wild

A critical authentication bypass vulnerability affecting Fortinet FortiWeb web application firewalls has been actively exploited since early October 2025. The vulnerability allows unauthenticated attackers to create admin accounts and gain complete control over vulnerable devices exposed to the...

Qualys Named a Leader in the 2025 IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Exposure Management Vendor Assessment

We’re proud to announce that Qualys has been recognized as a Leader in theIDC MarketScape: Worldwide Exposure Management 2025 Vendor Assessment doc US52994525, August 2025. We believe this recognition underscores Qualys’ commitment to helping organizations proactively manage cyber risk with...

Microsoft and Adobe Patch Tuesday, September 2025 Security Update Review

It's the second Tuesday of September, and Microsoft has rolled out its latest security updates. Microsoft's September 2025 Patch Tuesday has arrived, bringing a fresh wave of security fixes to help organizations stay ahead of evolving threats. Here's a quick breakdown of what you need to know...

Built-in Runtime Security for Containers

Security teams struggle with visibility into behaviors inside their running containers. Qualys is today announcing general availability of Container Runtime Security CRS to provide industry-leading visibility for running containers using an approach that is container-engine agnostic and layered...

Qualys Achieves FedRAMP® High ATO: Unlocking the Future of Trusted Cybersecurity for Government and Critical Infrastructure

Today, federal agencies and their technology partners are operating in the most scrutinized risk environment in history. The stakes are clear: a breach in high-impact systems – those holding national security, healthcare, or financial data – can result in loss of life, catastrophic economic damag...

Remediate Risk Without the Roadblocks: Automate with Qualys Flow

Remediation and Workflow Automation, Redefined Still relying on manual steps in your cloud security? It’s outdated, and it’s risky. Manual processes lead to slower threat detection, human errors, increased operational costs, and compliance delays. This isn’t just inefficient—it’s a liability. Ent...

Securing Dynamic Cloud Environments: Best Practices for Comprehensive Scanning

As organizations increasingly adopt cloud-native development, the complexity of securing dynamic environments continues to grow. Vulnerability scanning remains a cornerstone of cloud security, enabling organizations to identify and address risks effectively. However, with the increasing prevalenc...

Qualys TotalAppSec Delivers AI-powered Unified Application Risk Management for Modern Web Apps and APIs

" If you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it." - This adage rings truer than ever in the world of cybersecurity. Today, the modern attack surface has exploded, fueled by APIs that now drive 83% of all web traffic, powering critical integrations, microservices, and digital experiences. Security...

Secure Your Generative Investments: Qualys Advances Enterprise TruRisk Platform with Qualys TotalAI to Protect Your LLM Investments

Artificial intelligence AI and large language models LLMs are reshaping industries, streamlining enterprise operations, and fueling unprecedented innovation. However, as adoption accelerates, so do the associated risks. While 70% of enterprises plan to deploy LLMs in production within the next 12...

Addressing Cloud Identity Risks With TotalCloud CIEM

As organizations continue to embrace multi-cloud environments, leveraging platforms such as Amazon Web Services AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform GCP, and Oracle Cloud Infrastructure OCI, the complexity of cloud security has increased exponentially. In cloud environments, machines are...

Cybersecurity at a Crossroads: New Implications on Business Risk

During our 2023 Qualys Security Conference QSC taking place in Orlando, Florida, November 6-9, 2023, I unveiled an exciting new milestone for the company – the release of our new Qualys Enterprise TruRisk Platform, marking a seismic shift for the future of Qualys as a leader in managing and...

Qualys FIM: Be Compliance Ready with Intuitive, Ready-to-Use File Monitoring Profiles

Requirements for file-level security are often set by laws, regulations, and audit standards. These include identification of what must be protected, the various controls required to implement security, and outcomes required to successfully pass audits for compliance. This blog describes these an...

RANSOMWARE: Ranzy Locker

On 25 October 2021, the FBI released a report documenting their findings about a ransomware variant known as Ranzy Locker. While Ranzy Locker has not been used as prolifically as Conti or Darkside, it does leverage some of the same old ransomware tricks to attack its victims. In conjunction with...

CSPM Evolution – Start Secure, Stay Secure

For the last several years, the Verizon DBIR report has identified misconfigurations, errors that are unintended actions by an internal party, as one of the top reasons for data breaches. This trend is further reinforced by the results of a recent survey conducted by Cybersecurity Insiders. They...

FortiBleed: Credential Reuse, Legacy Hashes, and the Risk of Internet-Exposed FortiGate Devices

Key Takeaways FortiBleed refers to June 2026 public reporting of large-scale credential exposure and abuse targeting internet-reachable FortiGate management and SSL-VPN gateways driven by credential reuse and brute-force, not a single new zero-day. Risk is highest for internet-exposed FortiGate...

3 Paths to Upgrade Windows 11 before 24H2 End of Servicing (EOL)

Key Takeaways Windows 11 24H2 reaches the end of servicing on October 13, 2026, making timely enterprise upgrades critical. Enterprises often face version drift, with multiple Windows 11 builds across endpoints requiring different upgrade paths. Upgrade approaches vary based on system state and m...

Microsoft and Adobe Patch Tuesday, June 2026 Security Update Review

Every Patch Tuesday presents a race between defenders applying fixes and attackers seeking opportunities. Microsoft’s June 2026 release is no exception, delivering security updates for vulnerabilities that could significantly impact enterprise environments if left unaddressed. Microsoft Patch...

Meet Agent Val: Closing the Validation Gap in Exposure Management at Machine Speed with Agentic AI

Executive Summary The primary challenge in vulnerability management is proving what is actually exploitable. Many vulnerabilities are not exploited, but still drain resources. Traditional tools often fail to validate real risks. Agent Val, within Qualys Enterprise TruRisk Management, delivers thi...

CrackArmor: Critical AppArmor Flaws Enable Local Privilege Escalation to Root

Executive Summary Qualys TRU has discovered confused deputy vulnerabilities in AppArmor named "CrackArmor" that allow unprivileged users to bypass kernel protections, escalate to root, and break container isolation. The flaw has existed since 2017, and affected over 12.6 million systems globally...

Active Directory Attacks Demystified: Pass-the-Hash (PtH), Pass-the-Ticket (PtT), and Beyond

Key Takeaways Active Directory attacks are identified as a significant threat in enterprise environments, with 74% of breaches involving compromised identities according to the Verizon DBIR 2025. Pass-the-Hash PtHattacks facilitate lateral movement by allowing the reuse of stolen NTLM hashes...

Microsoft and Adobe Patch Tuesday, January 2026 Security Update Review

Starting the year on a security-first note, Microsoft's January 2026 Patch Tuesday resolves several vulnerabilities that could impact enterprise environments. Here's a quick breakdown of what you need to know. Microsoft Patch Tuesday for January 2026 This month's release addresses 115...

Scale AI Securely with Qualys TotalAI’s Streamlined Onboarding, Deeper Risk Detection, and Compliance-Ready Reporting

Executive Summary Enterprises are entering a phase where AI systems function as decision engines that shape customer interactions, operational workflows, and business outcomes. This creates a new class of risk that is behavioral, contextual, and dynamic, driven by how models interpret instruction...

Microsoft Patch Tuesday, November 2025 Security Update Review

Microsoft released its November Patch Tuesday Security Updates. Here's a quick breakdown of what you need to know. Microsoft Patch Tuesday for November 2025 This month's release addresses 68 vulnerabilities, including five critical and 59 important-severity vulnerabilities. In this month's update...

Inside an Automotive Giant’s Data Leak — A Cloud Misconfiguration Lesson for AWS Users

70 TB+ of data, hard-coded keys, and weak IAM controls. For even the most experienced enterprises, one configuration decision can be enough to surface how interdependent and vulnerable modern cloud systems truly are. The recent data exposure incident at a large automotive firm highlights this...

Introducing TruLens for Enterprise TruRisk™ Management: Unified Threat Intelligence

CISOs and security leaders today face extraordinary challenges: the constant influx of vast quantities of fragmented threat data, information that lacks the context necessary for their unique organizations, and mounting operational gaps that hinder genuine risk reduction. The need has shifted fro...

How Agentic AI Powers Seamless Audit Readiness with Agent Chang

Audits are rarely simple. Security and compliance teams often find themselves buried in repetitive, time-consuming tasks—collecting logs from multiple systems, exporting reports from various tools, and manually reconciling data in spreadsheets. Evidence must be traced back to the correct controls...

Understanding the Impact of Scattered Spider on the Airline & Transportation Industry

In June, the FBI publicly warned that Scattered Spider is actively targeting the aviation and transportation sectors, including well-known airlines and their third-party IT vendors. In this post, we will provide a brief overview of Scattered Spider, insights gathered by our research team into the...

Building Resilient Software Supply Chains: Inside the Enhanced Qualys Software Composition Analysis

In today’s software-driven economy, every organization, regardless of industry, is a software company. And increasingly, every software company is an open-source company. With open-source components OSS now comprising up to 80% of modern codebase, the software supply chain has emerged as one of t...

The Efficiency Imperative: How Federal Agencies Can Streamline Cybersecurity Operations

With increasing scrutiny on government spending, federal agencies face mounting pressure to optimize IT budgets while fortifying cybersecurity defenses. However, the unchecked proliferation of security tools has led to inefficiencies, reduced visibility, and increasing total cost of ownership. A...

Qualys TRU Discovers Three Bypasses of Ubuntu Unprivileged User Namespace Restrictions

The Qualys Threat Research Unit TRU recently disclosed three security bypasses in Ubuntu's unprivileged user namespace restrictions. Qualys responsibly disclosed these vulnerabilities to the Ubuntu Security Team on January 15, 2025, and has been working with Ubuntu since then. Qualys TRU uncovere...

Independent Analyst Firm: Qualys Recognized as a Leader in Attack Surface Management

As the modern attack surface continues to grow in complexity, the need for simplified asset discovery and risk assessment has never been more acute. In 2021, Qualys introduced CyberSecurity Asset Management CSAM, a visionary ASM offering designed to bolster the customer’s coverage of the attack...

Qualys Unveils mROC: The Industry’s First Managed Risk Operation Center To Help Partners Scale Risk Management Services

The launch of Enterprise TruRisk Management ETM, the world’s first Risk Operations Center ROC in the cloud, in October 2024 has met with an overwhelmingly positive reception from customers. They see the potential of a unified approach to managing cyber risk. We recognize that setting up and...

Securing Cloud Environments Against Potential Extortion Threats

Introduction With the growing reliance on cloud infrastructure, organizations must be vigilant against potential extortion threats targeting misconfigurations and weak access controls. Unfortunately, extortion threats are a huge problem. According to the Verizon 2024 Data Breach Investigations...

Elevate Cyber Defense with Qualys Advanced Hunting

Introduction In today’s cyber threat landscape, proactive approaches such as threat hunting have become key in any organization’s defense strategy, identifying and tackling threats before they become an incident. That is why Qualys is delighted to introduce Advanced Hunting , our threat-hunting...

HHS OIG Report Underscores Challenges of Securing the Cloud

On July 22, 2024, HHS Health and Human Services OIG published a report identifying a need for the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Secretary HHS OS to improve key security controls to better protect cloud information systems. The report, while focused on HHS OS, underscores...

Staying Five Steps Ahead of Cyber Risk

Organizations are continuously seeking effective strategies to protect their digital environments. With over 26,000 vulnerabilities discovered last year, Qualys Vulnerability Management, Detection, and Response VMDR offers a comprehensive solution designed to meet the needs of both security and I...

Closing the Visibility Gap: How Qualys Cloud Agent Passive Sensor (CAPS) Eliminates Blind Spots Without the Hassle

In modern networks, the most significant risks come from systems that fall through the cracks. Modern networks are full of unknown and unmanaged assets. Some are seemingly benign devices introduced by well-meaning employees or contractors that can turn rogue. While some of these may be genuinely...

Prepare Your Organization for Compliance with the NYDFS Cybersecurity Regulation

Cyberattacks are on the rise, with bad actors accelerating their nefarious exfiltration of valuable and confidential data from financial institutions, Federal agencies, healthcare organizations, and more. According to an IBM study, the Financial Services industry saw an increase in the cost of da...

Cloud Security Improves, But Much Work Still Remains to Be Done

As cloud computing adoption accelerates among businesses, InfoSec teams are struggling to fully protect cloud workloads due to a lack of visibility into these environments, and to hackers’ increasingly effective attacks. That’s the main finding from SANS Institute’s “Cloud Security: Defense in...

Qualys Policy Compliance Notification: Policy Library Update

The Qualys library of built-in policies makes it easy to comply with the security standards and regulations that are most commonly used and adhered to. Qualys provides a wide range of policies, including many that have been certified by CIS as well as the ones based on security guidelines from...

Audit Fix: Audit Readiness for the Post-Mythos Era

Key Takeaways Human-speed compliance is dead. Attackers utilizing modern, autonomous AI tools can chain enterprise misconfigurations and weaponize vulnerabilities in under 25 minutes, rendering manual, periodic audit cycles completely obsolete. The "Configuration Gap" is your biggest blind spot...

Zero-Day Remediation Meets Operational Resiliency

Executive Summary In the Frontier AI era, the number of CISA-known exploited vulnerabilities has increased by 6.5x over the past four years, and time-to-exploitation has collapsed to -7 days. Traditional monthly patch cycles cannot keep up. Organizations need a new operating model that detects at...