Definition
Vulnerability management is a cyclical process of identifying, assessing, prioritizing, and remediating security weaknesses in systems and applications. It involves systematically scanning for known vulnerabilities, analyzing their potential impact, and implementing corrective actions to reduce the attack surface. This proactive approach is crucial for maintaining a strong security posture and preventing successful cyberattacks. For instance, a company might regularly scan its web servers for outdated software versions that have publicly known exploits. Unlike vulnerability scanning, which is a single event, vulnerability management is an ongoing program that ensures continuous improvement. This concept is fundamental to cybersecurity certifications like CompTIA Security+, CySA+, and CISSP.