Which factors should be considered when determining the number of Nessus scanners for deployment?

When determining the number of Nessus scanners for deployment, network partitions and bandwidth are critical factors. The effectiveness of vulnerability scanning heavily depends on the network’s structure and available bandwidth. If the network has multiple partitions, each partition may require its own scanner to ensure comprehensive coverage without overwhelming any single scanner. Additionally, bandwidth limitations can affect the performance of scans; if the network cannot support large amounts of data being transmitted at once, it may be necessary to deploy more scanners to distribute the workload effectively. This ensures that scans can be completed in a timely manner without causing disruptions to daily operations or impacting network performance adversely.

Evaluating the network topology in conjunction with bandwidth considerations is essential for optimizing scanner deployment, ensuring thorough vulnerability assessments while maintaining network efficiency. Other factors like hardware type, personnel numbers, and server geographic locations are important considerations in different contexts but do not directly influence the deployment strategy based on network dynamics as much as network partitions and bandwidth do.