What is Risk-Based Vulnerability Management (RBVM)?

  As businesses continue to expand and rely more heavily on technology, the risk of cyber-attacks and security breaches increases. Risk-Based Vulnerability Management (RBVM) is a comprehensive security approach that helps organizations address security risks by identifying, prioritizing, and remediating vulnerabilities in their systems. It involves assessing the security posture of an organization and prioritizing security vulnerabilities based on the level of risk they pose. This approach enables businesses to focus on the most critical vulnerabilities first and allocate limited resources where they are most needed.

Security Vulnerability: Types of Security Vulnerabilities & Which Vulnerabilities Should be Prioritized

A security vulnerability is a weakness or flaw in a system that can be exploited by attackers to gain unauthorized access, steal data, or cause damage to the system. There are many different types of security vulnerabilities, including:

1. Software vulnerabilities: These are weaknesses in software applications that could be exploited by attackers to take control of a system, steal data, or cause damage.
2. Configuration vulnerabilities: These occur when systems are not configured correctly, making them vulnerable to attack.
3. Authentication vulnerabilities: These occur when systems do not properly authenticate users, making it easier for attackers to gain unauthorized access.
4. Physical vulnerabilities: These are weaknesses in the physical security of a system, such as unsecured buildings or lack of surveillance.
5. Human vulnerabilities: These occur when individuals within an organization fall prey to phishing or social engineering attacks, providing attackers with unauthorized access.

It is important to prioritize vulnerabilities based on their level of risk. Vulnerabilities that pose the greatest risk to an organization should be addressed first. This ensures that limited resources are allocated effectively and the most critical vulnerabilities are addressed first.

Why is there a Need for Risk-Based Vulnerability Management for Businesses?

As cyber-attacks become more frequent and sophisticated, businesses need a more comprehensive approach to security. Risk-Based Vulnerability Management enables organizations to prioritize vulnerabilities based on their level of risk and allocate resources where they are most needed. This approach provides a more effective way of managing security risks and helps businesses stay ahead of potential threats. NorthStar’s RBVM platform provides additional value to businesses by bridging the gap between vulnerability assessment and patch management. This eliminates the manual processes and unnecessary spreadsheet work associated with legacy vulnerability management.

Benefits of Vulnerability Risk Management

There are several benefits to implementing a risk-based vulnerability management approach:

1. Effective Use of Resources: By identifying and prioritizing vulnerabilities based on their level of risk, businesses can allocate resources effectively and address the most critical vulnerabilities first.
2. Reduce risk: By focusing on the most critical vulnerabilities, businesses can reduce their overall risk and minimize the likelihood of a successful cyber-attack.
3. Cost-effective: By focusing on the most critical vulnerabilities first, businesses can make the best use of their expensive human resources.
4. Increased visibility: Risk-Based Vulnerability Management provides a complete view of the organization’s environment, including all assets, vulnerabilities, and exposures.

How Risk-Based Vulnerability Management Works

Risk-Based Vulnerability Management involves several essential steps:

1. Asset discovery: This involves identifying all assets within an organization, including hardware and software.
2. Vulnerability scanning: This involves scanning all assets for vulnerabilities.
3. Risk assessment: This involves analyzing the results of the vulnerability scan and asset discovery and assessing the level of risk associated with each vulnerability and asset.
4. Prioritization: This involves prioritizing vulnerabilities based on their level of risk.
5. Remediation: This involves addressing vulnerabilities in order of priority, beginning with the most critical.

How Risk-Based Vulnerability Management Tool Can Help You

NorthStar’s RBVM platform is a best-in-class enterprise tool that helps businesses effectively manage security risks. The RBVM platform prioritizes vulnerabilities based on their level of risk and provides a complete view of the organization’s environment.