8.8 Management of Technical Vulnerabilities

Information about technical vulnerabilities of information systems in use should be obtained, the organisation’s exposure to such vulnerabilities should be evaluated and appropriate measures should be taken.

Management of technical vulnerabilities in information security refers to the process of identifying, assessing, and mitigating technical vulnerabilities in computer systems, networks, and applications. Technical vulnerabilities are weaknesses or defects in the design, implementation, or configuration of a system that can be exploited by an attacker to gain unauthorised access or to cause harm.

The process of managing technical vulnerabilities typically includes the following steps:

• Vulnerability scanning: Using automated tools to scan systems and networks for known vulnerabilities.
• Vulnerability assessment: Evaluating the potential impact of the vulnerabilities identified and prioritizing them based on their severity.
• Vulnerability management: Developing and implementing a plan to address the vulnerabilities identified, which can include applying security patches or software updates, reconfiguring systems or networks, or implementing additional security controls.
It is important to have a vulnerability management plan and to regularly review and update it to ensure that it remains effective in addressing new and emerging vulnerabilities. This can include regular vulnerability scanning, vulnerability assessment, and vulnerability management. Additionally, organisations should also have an incident response plan to address any security incident that might occur due to a vulnerability.It is also important to have a risk management plan in place to identify, assess, and prioritise the vulnerabilities that might have an impact on the organisation. This can help the organisation to focus on the vulnerabilities that have a higher likelihood of being exploited and that would cause more severe consequences.