Module 12: Developing a Continuous Vulnerability Management Plan

Automated and Regular Scanning

1. Schedule regular vulnerability scans across all critical systems, prioritizing assets based on risk.

2. Utilize both credentialed and non-credentialed scans to get a complete picture of vulnerabilities.

3. Consider daily or weekly scans for high-risk, internet-facing systems, and monthly or quarterly scans for other systems.

4. Risk-Based Vulnerability Prioritization

   • Use the CVSS (Common Vulnerability Scoring System) and VPR (Vulnerability Priority Rating) scores to assess vulnerabilities.

   • Prioritize vulnerabilities based on their risk level, exploitability, and potential impact on business-critical functions.

   • For high-risk vulnerabilities, establish swift remediation timelines and use compensating controls when immediate remediation isn’t feasible.

5. Centralized Patch Management Process

   • Implement a patch management system to automate the identification, testing, and deployment of patches.

   • Ensure third-party software, plugins, and operating systems are included in regular updates.

   • Define a remediation schedule based on vulnerability severity:

     • Critical vulnerabilities: Remediate within 24–48 hours.

     • High vulnerabilities: Remediate within 7–14 days.

     • Medium and low vulnerabilities: Remediate within 30–90 days, as resources permit.

6. Continuous Monitoring and Threat Intelligence

   • Integrate threat intelligence to stay updated on new vulnerabilities and attack vectors.

   • Enable real-time monitoring to detect unexpected changes or suspicious activity across critical assets.

   • Use alerts and reports to inform security teams about newly detected vulnerabilities, zero-day exploits, and active threats.

7. Incident Response and Remediation Workflow

   • Develop a clear incident response process that includes specific steps for handling vulnerability exploitation incidents.

   • Include a post-incident analysis to improve processes and prevent similar issues in the future.

   • Incorporate lessons learned from vulnerability incidents into the vulnerability management plan.

8. Documentation and Reporting

   • Document each phase of the vulnerability management process, including identification, assessment, remediation, and verification.

   • Regularly report on vulnerability management progress, highlighting open vulnerabilities, remediation efforts, and security improvements to key stakeholders.

   • Ensure compliance with industry regulations (e.g., PCI-DSS, HIPAA, GDPR) by keeping accurate records of vulnerability assessments and remediation actions.

9. Establishing a Culture of Security Awareness

   • Train employees to recognize and report security threats, including social engineering attempts that could lead to vulnerabilities.

   • Involve IT, development, and operations teams in vulnerability management activities to ensure organization-wide participation.

   • Promote best practices, such as the principle of least privilege, to minimize the potential for vulnerabilities to arise.

Best Practices for a Continuous Vulnerability Management Plan

1. Implement Automated Vulnerability Scanning and Patch Management

   • Leverage tools that automate scans and streamline patch deployment across all systems, ensuring consistent updates.

2. Adopt a Risk-Based Vulnerability Prioritization

   • Assign resources to the most impactful vulnerabilities first, based on threat intelligence and risk scores.

3. Regularly Test and Validate Remediation Efforts

   • Conduct re-scans after each remediation effort to verify that vulnerabilities have been successfully resolved.

4. Incorporate Threat Intelligence into Vulnerability Management

   • Stay informed about new vulnerabilities and attack methods using up-to-date threat intelligence sources.

5. Foster Cross-Departmental Collaboration

   • Engage IT, security, and business units to create a shared understanding of vulnerability risks and ensure smooth remediation processes.

6. Perform Continuous Monitoring and Real-Time Alerts

   • Use a SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) system or similar tools for real-time alerts on vulnerabilities and unusual behavior.

7. Conduct Regular Training and Security Awareness Programs

   • Equip employees with knowledge on security best practices and their role in supporting vulnerability management.