assetscan

Assetscan, or asset scanning, is the automated process of identifying and cataloging devices, software, services, and cloud resources within an organization's IT environment. The goal is to produce a current inventory of assets to support asset management, security, and compliance efforts.

Assetscan can be implemented as agent-based, with software agents installed on endpoints; agentless, using network protocols to detect devices; or a hybrid approach. It may involve active scanning, which probes hosts and services, and passive discovery, which analyzes existing network traffic.

The scan collects data such as asset type, owner, location, hardware specifications, operating system versions, installed applications, configurations, network addresses, and interdependencies. Outputs are commonly fed into a configuration management database (CMDB), IT asset management systems, vulnerability scanners, or cloud management platforms.

Benefits include improved visibility, risk assessment, license compliance, patch management, change tracking, and more efficient incident response. Asset scans also support regulatory compliance and cost optimization by identifying redundant or underutilized assets.

Challenges arise in dynamic environments with virtual machines, containers, and serverless resources; shadow IT and multi-cloud setups; accuracy and duplication issues; credentialing and access control; and potential disruption from scanning activities. Proper authorization, schedule planning, and secure handling of data are essential.

See also IT asset management, CMDB, vulnerability scanning, network discovery.