Customize a Database of Reusable Writeups with PlexTrac

Conquer Q4 as a Security Consultant

Perhaps the largest drain on the time of a security consultant in Q4 is creating detailed, client-specific reports for everyone’s end of year deadlines. This time suck is compounded by the common use of tools that simply weren’t created for the work involved, namely Microsoft Word and Excel. Using a platform for streamlining the reporting process — allowing you to access, customize, and drop into your reports writeups for common findings — is a game changer in efficiency.

Enter PlexTrac. PlexTrac provides a fully customizable database to house common writeup language for those issues you encounter all the time. Imagine being able to run a quick search, customize an existing writeup, and drop it into your report with a click of a button. Create, upload, and store all your writeups in PlexTrac — a platform designed specifically for the security reporting workflow.

Check out our blog series to learn more tips, tricks, and strategy for security service providers — including how they can use PlexTrac to conquer Q4.

A Searchable Repository of All Writeups

Present within PlexTrac is the Writeups Module. The WriteupsDB allows you to store and reuse the same language for commonly identified findings. Rather than copying and pasting from Word or Excel, you can create, modify, upload, and store all of your frequently used language for reports in the same platform used to aggregate your scanner data and produce the reports themselves.

Modularization is key to streamlining the report writing process. Maintaining an easily searchable database of writeups for common findings will save time and ensure consistency across the security team.

How to Make the Most of the WriteupsDB in PlexTrac

The best part about the PlexTrac WriteupsDB is how simple it is navigate and use — immediately streamlining the reporting workflow.

Step 1: Creating Writeups

To reduce report writing time and ensure consistency, an organization can leverage the WriteupsDB by codifying any details, references, or recommendations they feel are pertinent to a commonly identified finding.

Step 2: Building a Database of New and Existing Writeups

While writeups can be created, edited, and viewed within the WriteupsDB, it is also important to note that a writeup can be brought into a PlexTrac report at any time. Once added to a report the writeup becomes a “Finding,” and any changes made within the report will not affect the writeup.

Much of the information present within a report finding can also be stored in the WriteupsDB.

Note that a writeup can be created manually, or an existing database that an organization may already use can be imported into your PlexTrac instance via .csv. This allows organizations with large databases of information to import the information instantly and begin work immediately using their existing data and the PlexTrac library or any writeups already created on the platform.

Check out how simple it is to import into the WriteupsDB here: https://docs.plextrac.com/plextrac-documentation/product-documentation/writeupsdb/bulk-importation-from-csv

Step 3: Saving Report Findings to the WriteupsDB

Additionally, if at any time you’re working in a PlexTrac Report you can copy a finding back to the WriteupsDB. This feature makes it easy for any reusable new work to be moved to and saved in the WriteupsDB.

Conquer Q4 with a Reusable Database

Don’t start reports from scratch every time or use tools that weren’t designed for the security reporting process. Use PlexTrac to effectively modularize your common writeups and put them to work in reports with a click of button.

The busiest time of the year can be so much better with the right partners … isn’t that what you tell your clients? Partner with PlexTrac for your security workflow management and conquer Q4 this year.

Schedule a demo today to see more!