As organizations scale continuously, their IT infrastructure security becomes increasingly complex and this creates a larger attack surface with many vulnerabilities and entry points. Vulnerability management lifecycle can address this challenge by establishing a structured approach to manage vulnerabilities. This approach includes a several key stages which may vary depending on the source. According to Vulcan, 90% of security operations workflows will be automated and managed as code, which indicates a shift towards more efficient and scalable vulnerability management practices. Given the crucial role of APIs in modern applications, implementing an efficient and effective VML is important to secure sensitive data and maintain system integrity.

This blog explains the fundamentals of the vulnerability management lifecycle and provides actionable insights to achieve effective vulnerability management.

What is Vulnerability Management Lifecycle?

Vulnerability management lifecycle is a structured process which is designed to identify, assess, prioritize and remediate security vulnerabilities within organization’s IT infrastructure that also includes application programming interfaces (APIs). In the last few years, vulnerability management has gone from mainly a manual process to more advanced and automated methods. It needs specialized tools to identify and prioritize risks so that efficient strategies can be created and implemented, with the main goal of preventing an IT system security breach.

Why is Vulnerability Management Lifecycle Important?

The vulnerability management lifecycle is essential for API security teams to address vulnerabilities within the IT infrastructure. A systematic approach to manage vulnerabilities can significantly contribute to reduction in vulnerabilities and data breach prevention. By managing these vulnerabilities in a structured way, security teams can prevent potential exploits that could lead to data breaches, system downtimes and financial losses.

This lifecycle helps in strategic resource allocation by focusing on the highly critical vulnerabilities which optimizes remediation efforts. Apart from this, it ensures compliance with industry regulations and standards. This is why a properly implemented vulnerability management lifecycle helps improve the overall cybersecurity resilience.

6 Stages of Vulnerability Management Lifecycle

Implementing vulnerability management lifecycle helps API security teams, to proactively manage vulnerabilities and reduce the risk of exploitation and improve overall security posture. Here’s a breakdown of stages in vulnerability management lifecycle:

Asset Discovery and Inventory

The first stage includes identifying and cataloging all the assets within the security team’s network like hardware, software and services. A complete asset inventory is necessary for understanding the scope of potential vulnerabilities to form a foundation for assessments thereafter. Regular updates to this inventory is required to make sure that new assets are accounted for and assessed for security risks.

Vulnerability Assessment

Once the assets are identified they are assessed for known vulnerabilities, by using automated scanning tools and manual testing methods. This assessment helps in detecting the security weakness that can potentially be exploited by cyber attackers. The main aim is to identify vulnerabilities properly and allow for timely resolution before they can be exploited.

Risk Prioritization

Once the vulnerabilities are identified, it is necessary to prioritize them based on the risk they bear to the security teams. Factors considered include severity of the vulnerability, the criticality of the asset that is affected, exploitability and the potential impact it will have on the business. This prioritization is important to make sure that remediation efforts are properly focused on most important risks, optimize resource allocation and improve security.

Remediation and Mitigation

Addressing vulnerabilities involves implementing corrective actions. This includes applying patches or upgrades to most vulnerable system software and reconfiguring settings to improve security. Also if the remediation is not feasible compensating controls can be implemented. Prompt and effective remediation reduces the gap for attackers to exploit vulnerabilities.

Verification and Validation

Post remediation, it is essential to verify that the vulnerabilities have been properly addressed without introducing new issues. This stage involves conducting follow up scans and tests to confirm that the remediation are successful and that system functionality or performance has not been negatively affected. Validation ensures that the integrity of remediation work and maintains system reliability end to end.

Report and Continuous Improvement

The last stage of VML involves documenting the results of vulnerability management lifecycle process like identified vulnerabilities, remediation actions, and current security status. Evaluating trends and metrics from these reports can help in identifying areas for process improvement. Timely updating policies, process and tools based on constant learnings of evolving threats encourages a proactive security culture.

Vulnerability Management Lifecycle Best Practices

Implementing vulnerability management lifecycle best practices can improve the security posture of the organization. Here’s a breakdown of some of the best practices:

Establish Vulnerability Management Program

Create a structured approach that encompasses asset discovery, vulnerability scanning, assessment remediation and monitoring. Define roles, responsibilities and processes clearly to ensure everyone is on the same page across the organization.

Integrate Vulnerability Management System into SDLC

Implement security assessments during the software development lifecycle phase to identify and address vulnerabilities at the initial phase. This proactive approach minimizes the cost and effort for remediation later in the lifecycle.

Maintain Proper Asset Inventory

Regularly update inventory of all the hardware and software assets. This regular practice will ensure future vulnerabilities are accounted for and are appropriately managed. Understanding attack surface is important for proper vulnerability management so that no assets are overlooked.

Perform Regular and Complete Risk Assessments

Perform thorough assessments of security teams to identify and prioritize vulnerabilities that is based on future impact. This approach helps in allocating resources efficiently to tackle the most critical security risks.

Implement Strict Vendor Oversight

Evaluate and monitor the security practices of third party vendors and business executives. Set up clear agreements that needs timely notifications of all the security incidents to ensure external collaborations do not introduce new security risks.

Create and Test Incident Response and Recovery Plans

Create detailed plans that explains process for responding security incidents. Regularly test and update these plans for quick and effective response during actual incidents, to minimize potential damage.

Final Thoughts

By strictly adhering to these actionable best practices, security teams can manage vulnerabilities properly and achieve high security for APIs. Securing APIs is critical in modern IT security and to meet these requirements. With continuous API discovery, thorough vulnerability assessments, risk prioritization and remediation features, Akto empowers security teams to properly manage and secure their API ecosystems.

Explore how Akto can strengthen your security team’s API security.

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