What is a necessary prerequisite for conducting a host discovery scan?

For conducting a host discovery scan, having a scanner, policy, targets, and a scan schedule is essential. The scanner is the tool that performs the scan, while the policy outlines the parameters and specifics of how the scan will be conducted, including the types of vulnerabilities to look for. Identifying the targets is crucial, as these are the systems or networks that will be scanned for host discovery. Lastly, a scan schedule establishes when the scan will take place, ensuring that it is executed at the appropriate times, considering factors like network activity and potential downtime.

While other factors such as security audits, policy approval, and training may play significant roles in the overall security scanning process, they do not directly constitute what is necessary to execute a host discovery scan. The combination of the scanner, defined policy, identified targets, and scheduled timing focuses specifically on the operational aspects required for executing this particular scanning activity.