Dynamic Target Groups | Knowledge Base

^{Last updated:}^2019-03-28

Purpose

This article describes how to set up and manage dynamic target groups.

Introduction

The Dynamic Target Group feature in OUTSCAN and HIAB enables users to automatically organize assets into target groups based on defined filter criteria. A dynamic group is system-managed, meaning that targets matching the specified filters such as IP ranges, attributes, or other target properties are automatically added to the group, while targets that no longer meet the criteria are removed. Users create a dynamic group by first applying filters in the Manage Targets view, saving the filtered view, and then generating a dynamic group from that view. Once created, the group continuously updates as new targets are added or existing targets change, ensuring that the group always reflects the current set of assets that match the defined conditions.

It is good to use Dynamic Target Groups to automate asset organization and maintain accurate, up-to-date groupings of targets without manual intervention. By grouping systems based on filters such as IP ranges, attributes, or vulnerability criteria, security teams can simplify large-scale target management, streamline scanning schedules, and improve reporting consistency. Because the membership of the group updates automatically when assets change or new targets are added, dynamic groups reduce administrative overhead and help ensure that vulnerability management processes always include the relevant systems.

Managing Dynamic Target Groups

⚙️

Example

Adding a filter on an IP-range makes sure that all targets within that range is part of the group. New targets being added within the same IP-range is automatically added to the group. Any number of filters can be applied when creating the group.

To create a dynamic group complete the following steps.

Creating a View From Filters

The first step is to create a filter in your view.

Go to Main Menu > Netsec > Manage Targets.
Select All targets in the Target Groups list on the left side of the Manage Targets window.
Open the Filters menu by hovering the mouse pointer over the heading of a column and click on the little down pointing arrow to open the Column menu.

Different columns gives different filter options depending on the content of the columns.

Select Filters and create a filter by writing a string or number in the All: field.
After you have created a filter open the Column menu again and select Views.
Select Save View.
Enter a name for the view and click the Save button.
Your new view is now created.

Create a Dynamic Group

Once a view has been created you can proceed to create a dynamic group from that view.

Go to Main Menu > Netsec > Manage Targets.
Select your view.
Right click the group and select New dynamic group.
Name the new target group.

When the new dynamic group is ready, all new targets that are added and covered by the filter will be displayed in this group.

You can create different dynamic groups based on different filters and sorting.

Update Dynamic Group

The Update dynamic group updates a dynamic group with a new set of filters, disregarding the old ones.