Vulnerability management

What is vulnerability management?

Vulnerability management refers to the continuous process of identifying, assessing and eliminating security vulnerabilities in IT systems. It comprises the systematic analysis of the entire IT infrastructure – from servers and networks to applications and end devices. The aim is to identify vulnerabilities at an early stage before they can be exploited by attackers. Effective vulnerability management takes place in a continuous cycle consisting of scanning, evaluating, remedying and checking.

Vulnerability management differs from one-off security analyses or penetration tests due to its regularity and integration into ongoing operational processes. Companies use special tools for this purpose that automatically detect and prioritize vulnerabilities.

Why is vulnerability management so important?

The threat situation in IT is constantly changing: new vulnerabilities arise due to updates, configuration errors or new attack techniques. Without active vulnerability management, companies risk security incidents, data loss and high follow-up costs. Continuous vulnerability monitoring ensures that risks are quickly identified and remedied before they have a critical impact.

In addition to technical security, compliance with regulatory requirements also plays a role. Many compliance requirements – such as ISO 27001 or the GDPR – require a functioning vulnerability management system. Systematically managing vulnerabilities not only protects sensitive data, but also strengthens the trust of customers and business partners.