Which ACAS component performs active vulnerability and compliance scanning?

The correct choice indicates that Nessus is the component responsible for active vulnerability and compliance scanning within the ACAS framework. Nessus is a widely recognized vulnerability assessment tool that enables organizations to identify and remediate potential security vulnerabilities in their systems. It performs active scans of networks and systems, assessing various aspects such as configuration compliance, network vulnerabilities, and required patches.

Nessus's capabilities allow it to generate detailed reports on identified vulnerabilities and compliance status, making it an essential component in ensuring the security posture of an organization. By utilizing active scanning methods, Nessus helps organizations in proactively managing vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by threats, thus playing a crucial role in maintaining compliance with security standards and guidelines.

While other components like the 3D Tool, PVS (Passive Vulnerability Scanner), and SecurityCenter are integral to the ACAS architecture, they serve different roles. The 3D Tool focuses on data analysis and visualization, PVS is more adept at passive scanning of network traffic to identify vulnerabilities that may exist without actively probing systems, and SecurityCenter acts as a centralized management console for aggregating data from various sources, including Nessus.