Saying it wants to help address the withering skills gap in cybersecurity, Tenable this week released an enhanced version of its free vulnerability scanning solution that lifts previous restrictions limiting the tool to personal, non-commercial use and adds some new functionality in the bargain.
The Lowdown: Nessus Essentials, the tool formerly known as Nessus Home, is aimed at students, instructors, and entry-level cybersecurity professionals looking to hone infosec skills and master vulnerability assessments.
The Details: Tenable’s augmented Nessus Essentials now includes:
>Tenable research and community with access to alerts and reports, as well as peer discussion and collaboration from directly within Essentials interface
>Classroom guides featuring vulnerability assessment lesson plans and curriculum from expert educators worldwide
>In-product tutorials and guidance to help new users create scans and analyze results
A free course and certification for Nessus Essentials will be made available later in 2019.
Background: The release of Nessus Essentials comes as global demand for skilled security staff continues to outstrip supply, creating a skills gap that threatens the digital economy. According to the CyberSecurity Jobs Report 2018-2021, demand for cybersecurity talent this year will top 6 million jobs globally, but roughly 1.5 million of those positions will remain unfilled.
The Buzz: “Nearly every cybersecurity professional has used Nessus at some point. Many even learned the fundamentals with Nessus,” said Renaud Deraison, CTO and co-founder of Tenable. “Our vision for Nessus Essentials is to advance the next generation of cyber professionals, whether it’s in the classroom or on the job. We’re continuing to give back to the community, helping to close the security skills gap and building a foundation of cybersecurity.”
