The process of identifying, analyzing, classifying, and remediating vulnerabilities depending on the risk they constitute to an organization is known as vulnerability management (VM). A vulnerability scanner is the key technical component of this procedure since it detects resources connected to a company’s network and assesses them for vulnerabilities.
Vulnerability scanner scans a computer system for known vulnerabilities such as unsecured software setups, open ports and malware infection susceptibility. A zero-day vulnerability is one that is unknown or brand new. For cyber attacks and security breaches, exploiting flaws in operating systems, devices, browsers, and third-party applications to infect end-user devices is the first step. Identifying and repairing these vulnerabilities before cybercriminals can exploit them is a preventive security technique that should be included in any security program.
The Elements of Vulnerability Management are –
Plan: Initiate by specifying the scope of the vulnerability management system, including what will be scanned and how it will be scanned. Security teams need to decide the frequency of scanning. Security teams must decide which resources are the most important and who has authority over them.
Scan: An organization’s entire network is scanned for vulnerabilities, insecure devices and software setups, compliance with security regulations. Internal scanning evaluates the cybersecurity of an organization’s network inside the firewall, whereas external scanning is done from the outside. Scanning both internally and externally provides a complete picture of risks.
Remediate: Remediation priorities are set based on the severity of the threat and importance of the resource for an organization, and then it is assigned to an employee who will be remediating the vulnerability. Low-level vulnerabilities are resolved after high or critical vulnerabilities.
Track Progress: Company needs to check the success of its vulnerability management programme. To do this companies, need to define a baseline, set success indicators, and track progress towards their goals. Companies need to improve their vulnerability management system, so they need to add the latest or newly discovered zero-day vulnerabilities to their database.
Proof of Concept
This proof-of-concept helps to understand the technical and financial implications of the vulnerabilities. It also helps in remediating vulnerability.
Risk Scoring
Thousands of vulnerabilities are discovered in an organization. They need an advanced risk rating algorithm to figure out which systems to patch first for effective prioritization. To automate the prioritising of vulnerabilities, the risk score should include threat parameters such as exposure to exploits and viruses, duration of vulnerability.
Scalability
As a company grows, so should its vulnerability management solution’s capacity. Companies should be able to increase capacity at small expenses by adding scan engines to their current solution. The solution vendor should have expertise with similar-sized installations in larger environments.
Report Customization and Consolidation
Security teams can centrally manage prioritisation and remediation across the firm’s entire network, as well as monitor security risk and compliance trends, by combining data reports collected from each scan engine. On a single dashboard or user interface, the VM solution displays vulnerabilities, customizations, policy compliance, and other asset information like installed software.
Bug Bounty and Vulnerability Disclosure Programs
Official vulnerability disclosure programs and policies define parameters for security researchers, obligate businesses to avoid legal action if others follow their rules and provide instructions on how to report vulnerabilities discovered. Some organizations offer monetary or other initiatives to promote responsible security researchers to work in good conscience. The incentives are commonly referred to as the “bug bounty” program. Several specialized organizations that are well-known in the security researcher community provide bug bounty program management and support services. Following the discovery of a vulnerability, companies generally issue a software patch or other fix.
The majority of cyber-attacks happen because there is a flaw or vulnerability in the software. Identifying vulnerabilities and fixing them is a crucial step. 100% secure software doesn’t exist thus finding the flaws and fixing them is a continuous process that improves software security. Hence vulnerability management solutions’ cyber security market share is increasing.
