Moving from Vulnerability Management to Exposure Management

Chapter 1. Introducing Vulnerability Management

Vulnerability management is one of the foundational practices of an effective cybersecurity program. It focuses on identifying, classifying, prioritizing, remediating, and mitigating vulnerabilities in software and hardware systems. A complete vulnerability management program accomplishes more than just detection. It establishes a proactive approach to security, protecting systems before attackers can exploit known weaknesses to avert attacks entirely, rather than reacting after the fact. It helps organizations significantly reduce their attack surface and safeguard critical data and network infrastructure by continuously scanning for, analyzing, and addressing vulnerabilities.

New threats constantly emerge, and new exposures are discovered daily, making vulnerability management a continuous process rather than a one-time undertaking. Building a vulnerability management program has always been, and still is, crucial because vulnerabilities pose a significant risk when left unaddressed or poorly managed. Unmitigated vulnerabilities lead to unauthorized access, data breaches, and system failures, which have catastrophic effects on business operations and data protection.

Cybersecurity constantly evolves, and the impact of vulnerabilities extends far beyond immediate security concerns; vulnerabilities can disrupt business productivity, stymie operations, erode customer trust, and ultimately result in substantial financial losses. ...