Definition:
A vulnerability assessment is the process of identifying, evaluating, and prioritizing security vulnerabilities in systems, applications, and networks to determine where weaknesses exist and how they can be mitigated.
Use Cases:
- Used by organizations to assess the security of their systems and identify vulnerabilities that need to be addressed.
- Employed by security teams to prioritize which vulnerabilities should be patched or mitigated first.
Related Terms:
Questions and Answers:
- What is the goal of a vulnerability assessment?
The goal is to identify weaknesses in systems or applications that could be exploited by attackers and provide recommendations for mitigating those risks.
- How is a vulnerability assessment different from a penetration test?
A vulnerability assessment identifies potential weaknesses, while a penetration test actively attempts to exploit those weaknesses to gauge their impact.
- How can organizations prioritize vulnerabilities?
Organizations prioritize vulnerabilities based on factors such as the potential impact of an exploit, the likelihood of it occurring, and the availability of a patch.