What is Vulnerability Management?
Vulnerability Management is a proactive process used by organisations to identify, assess, prioritize, and remediate security vulnerabilities in their IT systems and networks.
The goal is to reduce the risk of exploitation by attackers and ensure that an organization’s digital infrastructure is secure and resilient against potential cyber threats.
🔹 Key Steps in Vulnerability Management
1️⃣ Vulnerability Identification 🔍
✅ Scan systems, networks, and applications for known vulnerabilities using automated tools (e.g., Nessus, OpenVAS, Qualys).
✅ Perform manual testing in addition to automated scans to detect misconfigurations, zero-day vulnerabilities, and emerging threats.
✅ Keep track of vulnerabilities listed in databases like CVE (Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures) and NVD (National Vulnerability Database).
2️⃣ Vulnerability Assessment & Risk Rating 📊
✅ Assess the severity of identified vulnerabilities based on their potential impact and exploitability.
✅ Use risk rating systems such as CVSS (Common Vulnerability Scoring System) to assign a score to each vulnerability (e.g., low, medium, high, critical).
✅ Prioritize vulnerabilities based on factors like exposure, exploitability, and potential damage to the business.
3️⃣ Remediation & Mitigation 🛠️
✅ Apply patches & updates – The most common way to fix known vulnerabilities is by applying patches provided by vendors.
✅ Implement workarounds – If a patch isn’t immediately available, temporary fixes or configuration changes can reduce exposure.
✅ Remove or replace vulnerable systems – In extreme cases, vulnerable systems may need to be taken offline or replaced.
✅ Strengthen security controls – Implement additional measures like firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and encryption to mitigate risks.
4️⃣ Verification & Testing ✅
✅ After remediation, re-scan the systems to ensure vulnerabilities have been effectively addressed.
✅ Penetration testing can also be used to simulate real-world attacks and verify whether the vulnerabilities are truly mitigated.
✅ Continuously monitor systems to detect new vulnerabilities and confirm that previous fixes are working.
5️⃣ Ongoing Monitoring & Reporting 📈
✅ Continuous vulnerability scanning – Regular scans help detect new vulnerabilities as they arise.
✅ Threat intelligence feeds – Stay informed of new vulnerabilities, exploits, and attack methods via trusted sources (e.g., US-CERT, NIST, security blogs).
✅ Document & report – Maintain records of identified vulnerabilities, remediation efforts, and test results for audits and compliance.
🔹 Best Practices for Vulnerability Management
✅ Create a Vulnerability Management Policy – Define roles, responsibilities, and procedures for vulnerability management across your organization.
✅ Automate Vulnerability Scanning – Use automated tools to regularly scan for vulnerabilities without waiting for manual intervention.
✅ Patch Management Process – Ensure timely patching for all software, operating systems, and hardware to reduce exposure.
✅ Keep Software Updated – Regularly update software, systems, and applications to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.
✅ Establish a Risk-Based Approach – Prioritize the remediation of vulnerabilities based on their potential impact, not just the CVSS score.
✅ Regularly Train Employees – Educate staff on security best practices, especially around avoiding threats like phishing and social engineering.