When implementing a vulnerability management process, what is the correct logical order of activities?

The logical order of activities in a vulnerability management process follows a systematic approach that ensures vulnerabilities are effectively identified, assessed, and addressed in a structured manner. The correct sequence—Identify, Analyze, Prioritize, Remediate—reflects the steps necessary to manage vulnerabilities efficiently.

Initially, the process begins with identifying vulnerabilities that may exist within the organization's systems and networks. This step involves utilizing various tools and methodologies to discover potential security gaps.

Once identified, the next step is to analyze these vulnerabilities to understand their nature, the assets they affect, and the potential impact they could have on the organization. Analysis might include assessing the severity of each vulnerability as well as the exploitability of the associated threats.

The following phase is prioritizing. After gaining insights from the analysis, vulnerabilities are ranked based on various criteria like risk level, impact on business operations, and threat landscape. This prioritization ensures that resources are allocated effectively, addressing the most critical vulnerabilities first.

The final stage is remediation, which encompasses implementing fixes or mitigating controls for the prioritized vulnerabilities to reduce the risk to an acceptable level. This may involve applying patches, changing configurations, or improving security protocols.

By adhering to this logical order—identification, analysis, prioritization, and remediation—organizations