Technology vulnerabilities are an unfortunate side effect of innovation. When software companies push new updates, there are often weaknesses in the code. Hackers exploit these. Software makers then address the vulnerabilities with a security patch. The cycle continues with each new software or hardware update.
It’s estimated that about 93% of corporate networks are susceptible to hacker penetration. Assessing and managing these network weaknesses isn’t always a priority for organizations. Many suffer breaches because of poor vulnerability management.
61% of security vulnerabilities in corporate networks are over 5 years old.
Many types of attacks take advantage of unpatched vulnerabilities in software code. This includes ransomware attacks, account takeover, and other common cyberattacks.
Whenever you see the term “exploit” when reading about a data breach, that’s an exploit of a vulnerability. Hackers write malicious code to take advantage of these “loopholes.” That code can allow them to elevate privileges. Or to run system commands or perform other dangerous network intrusions.
Putting together an effective vulnerability management process can reduce your risk. It doesn’t have to be complicated. Just follow the steps we’ve outlined below to get started.
New Section: The Rising Complexity of Modern Vulnerabilities
The vulnerability landscape has evolved significantly in recent years. Zero-day vulnerabilities—those exploited before vendors can issue patches—are increasingly common. Supply chain attacks, where vulnerabilities in third-party software compromise entire networks, have also surged.
Modern organizations face additional challenges from AI-powered attacks that can identify and exploit vulnerabilities faster than ever before. Machine learning enables attackers to scan for weaknesses across thousands of systems simultaneously, making rapid response more critical than ever.
The growth of cloud services, containerized applications, and APIs has expanded the attack surface exponentially. Each new technology layer introduces potential vulnerabilities that traditional scanning tools may miss.
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Vulnerability Management Process
Step 1. Identify Your Assets
First, you need to identify all the devices and software that you will need to assess. You’ll want to include all devices that connect to your network, including:
- Computers
- Smartphones
- Tablets
- IoT devices
- Servers
- Cloud services
Vulnerabilities can appear in many places. Such as the code for an operating system, a cloud platform, software, or firmware. So, you’ll want a full inventory of all systems and endpoints in your network.
This is an important first step, so you will know what you need to include in the scope of your assessment.
New Subsection: Expanded Asset Discovery in 2025
Today’s asset inventory must extend beyond traditional endpoints. Consider including:
- Shadow IT and BYOD: Personal and unsanctioned devices can access corporate data, creating blind spots. Use continuous discovery tools to detect unauthorized assets in real time.
- Containers and Serverless Environments: Docker and Kubernetes environments need specialized scanning since they can appear and disappear quickly.
- API Endpoints: Every API represents a potential entry point. Catalog all internal and external APIs.
- SaaS Applications: Track your cloud platforms, access permissions, and integration points.
Automated asset discovery tools with continuous monitoring are now essential, not optional.
For help with this process, explore MOATiT’s cybersecurity services.
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Step 2: Perform a Vulnerability Assessment
Next will be performing a vulnerability assessment. This is usually done by an IT professional using assessment software. This could also include penetration testing.
During the assessment, the professional scans your systems for any known vulnerabilities. The assessment tool matches found software versions against vulnerability databases.
For example, a database may note that a version of Microsoft Exchange has a vulnerability. If it detects that you have a server running that same version, it will note it as a found weakness in your security.
New Subsection: Modern Assessment Techniques
- Continuous Vulnerability Scanning: Leading organizations implement continuous scanning to find new vulnerabilities within hours of discovery.
- Authenticated Scans: Using valid credentials gives a deeper view of system configurations and hidden weaknesses.
- Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST): Simulates real-world attacks to detect runtime issues.
- Software Composition Analysis (SCA): Detects vulnerabilities in open-source components that many apps rely on.
MOATiT offers professional vulnerability assessment services tailored for Idaho Falls businesses.
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Step 3: Prioritize Vulnerabilities by Threat Level
The assessment results provide a roadmap for mitigating network vulnerabilities. There will usually be several, and not all are as severe as others. You will next need to rank which ones to address first.
At the top of the list should be those experts consider severe. Many vulnerability assessment tools will use the Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS). This categorizes vulnerabilities with a rating score from low to critical severity.
You’ll also want to rank vulnerabilities by your own business needs. If a software is only used occasionally on one device, you may consider it a lower priority to address. While a vulnerability in software used on all employee devices, you may rank as a high priority.
New Subsection: Risk-Based Prioritization Frameworks
Beyond CVSS Scores, consider:
- Exploit Prediction Scoring System (EPSS): Predicts which vulnerabilities are likely to be exploited soon.
- CISA’s Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV): View active KEV catalog.
- Business Context: Prioritize vulnerabilities that impact critical systems or sensitive data.
- Threat Intelligence Integration: Connect vulnerability data with real-world threat feeds.
- Exposure Assessment: Consider how exposed a system is — internal, isolated, or internet-facing.
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Step 4: Remediate Vulnerabilities
Remediate vulnerabilities according to the prioritized list. Remediation often means applying an issued update or security patch. But it may also mean upgrading hardware that may be too old for you to update.
Another form of remediation may be ringfencing. This is when you “wall off” an application or device from others in the network. A company may do this if a scan turns up a vulnerability for which a patch does not yet exist.
Increasing advanced threat protection settings in your network can also help. Once you’ve remediated the weaknesses, you should confirm the fixes.
New Subsection: Advanced Remediation Strategies
- Virtual Patching: Use WAF or IPS tools to block exploits until patches are ready.
- Compensating Controls: Add temporary protections like segmentation or monitoring.
- Patch Automation: Modern tools automate patching across endpoints safely.
- Configuration Hardening: Secure systems by enforcing strong baseline settings.
- End-of-Life Planning: Retire outdated systems no longer receiving updates.
MOATiT’s Managed IT services can help automate your patching and remediation workflow.
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Step 5: Document Activities
It’s important to document the vulnerability assessment and management process. This is vital both for cybersecurity needs and compliance.
You’ll want to document when you performed the last vulnerability assessment. Then document all the steps taken to remediate each vulnerability. Keeping these logs will be vital in the case of a future breach. They also can inform the next vulnerability assessment.
New Subsection: Documentation and Reporting Best Practices
Compliance Frameworks:
- SOC 2 Type II
- PCI DSS 4.0
- HIPAA
- ISO 27001
Key Metrics:
- Mean Time to Remediate (MTTR)
- % of vulnerabilities remediated within SLA
- Recurrence rate
- Coverage of scanned assets
Learn more from:
- PCI Security Standards Council
- ISO 27001 Information Security
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Step 6. Schedule Your Next Vulnerability Assessment Scan
Once you go through a round of vulnerability assessment and mitigation, you’re not done. Vulnerability management is an ongoing process.
In 2022, there were over 22,500 new vulnerabilities documented. Developers continue to update their software continuously. Each of those updates can introduce new vulnerabilities into your network.
It’s a best practice to have a schedule for regular vulnerability assessments. The cycle of assessment, prioritization, mitigation, and documentation should be ongoing. This fortifies your network against cyberattacks. It removes one of the main enablers of hackers.
New Subsection: Continuous Vulnerability Management
- Real-Time Monitoring: Continuous scanning detects vulnerabilities as they emerge.
- Threat Intelligence Feeds: Receive alerts about vulnerabilities in your stack.
- Integration with DevSecOps: Scan automatically before new code is deployed.
Recommended scan frequencies:
- External assets: Weekly or continuous
- Internal critical systems: Weekly
- General systems: Monthly
MOATiT’s network monitoring services make it easy for Idaho Falls businesses to stay ahead of threats.
New Section: Emerging Trends in Vulnerability Management
- AI & Machine Learning: Predict which vulnerabilities are most likely to be exploited.
- Attack Surface Management (ASM): Continuously track all internet-facing assets.
- Vulnerability Management as a Service (VMaaS): Outsource scanning and remediation to experts.
- Integration with XDR: Correlate vulnerability data with active threat detection.
Get Started with a Vulnerability Assessment
Take the first step towards effective vulnerability management. We can help you fortify your network against attacks.
Give us a call or schedule your vulnerability assessment today to get started.
This Article has been Republished with Permission from The Technology Press.
