Tenable Announces Real-time Access to Vulnerability Checks for Home Users

Tenable Network Security, Inc., the leader in unified security monitoring and creator of the popular and award-winning Nessus^® vulnerability scanner, today announces an update to its subscription model that will benefit home users and qualifying charities around the world.  Tenable’s Nessus vulnerability scanner, is the world-leader in active scanners, featuring high speed discovery, configuration auditing, asset profiling, sensitive data discovery, and vulnerability analysis of your security posture. 

Over the last five years, Tenable has seen Nessus grow globally to over 5 million downloads. The core Nessus engine is powered by Tenable’s world-class vulnerability research content which includes over 20,000 plugins, enhanced features such as IPv6 scanning, free mailing lists, online search tools, and free clients. Nessus has become not only a popular tool for conducting security audits but Tenable has extended its capabilities to conduct agent-less patch audits and configuration audits, as well as locating sensitive data. Looking forward, Tenable plans to further increase functionality, such as SMBv2 support to better audit Windows 2008 and Windows Vista, and further expand our abilities to conduct even more comprehensive vulnerability and configuration audits. 

Subscription Options

Since creating and releasing the subscriptions, two distinct user groups emerged. They are the home user and the commercial user. To better reflect the needs of our community, we have decided to update our Subscription licensing policy and are announcing the planned change (as outlined below and accompanied by a FAQ) that will go into effect on July 31st, 2008. 

First, we will continue to enable all users to download Nessus for free. 

Second, due to computers and personal networks having become ubiquitous in homes around the world, Tenable will launch a “HomeFeed” with all Nessus vulnerability plugin updates for home users at no charge and with no delay. We are excited to offer the latest vulnerability checks for personal, non-commercial use and strongly encourage home users to audit their computers and networks for the newest security flaws. 

Finally, Tenable’s “Direct Feed” will be re-named to the “ProfessionalFeed” and the “Registered Feed” will be discontinued. The ProfessionalFeed will serve as Tenable’s commercial subscription and will be required for individuals and organizations that want to use Tenable’s Nessus plugins commercially. 

“We are very pleased to be announcing the HomeFeed subscription,” said Renaud Deraison, Nessus creator and Tenable’s Chief Research Officer. “We urge home users to download Nessus today and start securing their personal computers and networks for free. Nessus can help them identify and provide remediation guidance for the known vulnerabilities on their personal computers and networks. This is an important step in the ongoing process of protecting themselves from unwanted intruders.” 

In addition, Tenable understands that there are those in the Nessus community that serve broad social and educational objectives and Tenable will make certain that qualified charitable and information security teaching/training organizations will have access to the ProfessionalFeed free of charge.  To this end, Tenable will provide ProfessionalFeed subscriptions to charity and information security teaching/training organizations at no cost for those that qualify. 

The change will ensure Tenable’s ability to invest in the future roadmap for Nessus and to expand our research, support, and training capabilities to serve our growing community. We realize this may affect some individuals, corporations, and organizations that use the currently available “Registered Feed” in production audits and commercial services. Because of this, Tenable is offering a 25 percent rebate for the Direct Feed subscription service (normally available at $1200 per year), beginning May 14, 2008 until July 31, 2008 only when purchased through Tenable’s e-commerce site.