Which scanning method typically requires credentials for better accuracy?

Credentialed scanning is a method that typically requires user credentials to access the target system during the scanning process. By providing credentials, the scanner can obtain in-depth insights into the configurations, security vulnerabilities, and overall security posture of the systems it assesses. This level of access allows for a more thorough evaluation compared to non-credentialed scans, which only look at external factors without the ability to view internal settings or configurations.

Using credentials greatly enhances the accuracy of the scan, as it allows the scanning tool to perform checks on software, installed applications, patches, and settings that may be hidden from an unauthenticated perspective. As a result, credentialed scans are able to identify vulnerabilities that wouldn't be detected otherwise and can provide actionable reports tailored to the organization's security needs.

The other methods mentioned, such as passive scanning and agent-based scanning, either do not require or do not utilize credentials in the same way, which can limit the depth of the analysis. External scanning focuses primarily on the perimeter security and public-facing aspects of a network, typically without the level of detail accessible through credentials. Therefore, credentialed scanning stands out as the method that emphasizes accuracy through the use of credentials.