Vulnerability Assessment
A systematic process of identifying, quantifying, and prioritizing security vulnerabilities in systems, networks, and applications. Unlike penetration testing, vulnerability assessments focus on discovering weaknesses rather than exploiting them.
Vulnerability assessments are a fundamental security practice that involves scanning systems and applications for known security weaknesses. These assessments use automated tools to compare system configurations, software versions, and code patterns against databases of known vulnerabilities (such as the CVE database).
A typical vulnerability assessment program includes infrastructure scanning (identifying unpatched operating systems, misconfigured services, and open ports), application scanning (detecting common web application vulnerabilities like SQL injection, cross-site scripting, and insecure configurations), dependency scanning (identifying known vulnerabilities in third-party libraries and packages), and container scanning (checking container images for vulnerable components).
The value of vulnerability assessments lies in their breadth and regularity. While penetration tests are typically performed annually or quarterly, vulnerability scans can run continuously or weekly, providing ongoing visibility into the security posture. Most compliance frameworks require regular vulnerability assessments — ISO 27001 addresses technical vulnerability management, SOC 2 requires vulnerability identification and remediation processes, and NIS2 mandates regular security assessments. The key is not just scanning, but having a defined process for prioritizing and remediating identified vulnerabilities within acceptable timeframes.
Related frameworks
Related terms
Access Control
The set of policies, procedures, and technical mechanisms that govern who can access which information assets, systems, and resources. Access control ensures that only authorized individuals can view, modify, or interact with sensitive data and systems.
Compliance Gap Analysis
A structured assessment that compares an organization's current security posture and practices against the requirements of a specific compliance framework. Gap analysis identifies areas where the organization falls short and helps prioritize remediation efforts.
Penetration Testing
A simulated cyberattack performed by security professionals to identify vulnerabilities in an organization's systems, networks, and applications. Penetration tests go beyond automated scanning by using the techniques and methodologies that real attackers employ.
Risk Assessment
A structured process for identifying, analyzing, and evaluating information security risks. Risk assessments determine the likelihood and potential impact of threats to an organization's information assets, guiding decisions about which controls to implement.
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