“Which vulnerabilities should we fix first?”
This question often leads to confusion, especially for those deeply involved in security. Every company has unique priorities which makes it challenging to create a one-size-fits-all approach.
Don’t lose hope- here’s a straightforward method inspired by musicians’ mnemonics to help you feel confident that you considered everything that’s important when assessing a vulnerability’s priority.
Every Engineer Always Prioritizes Data By Evaluating Risk
This phrase breaks down into key factors to consider:
- E – Exploitability: How easily can someone exploit the vulnerability?
- E – Exposure: Is the system connected to the internet or internal?
- A – Access Required: What level of access does an attacker need?
- P – Patch Difficulty: How hard is it to fix the issue?
- D – Data Sensitivity: Does the system handle sensitive information?
- B – Business Impact: What effect would an exploit have on the company?
- E – Environmental Mitigations: Are there existing defenses in place?
- R – Raw CVSS Score: What is the base severity score?
Achieving zero vulnerabilities is ideal but often unrealistic. Resources are often limited, so it’s crucial that we prioritize effectively. This mnemonic helps me ensure I’ve considered the whole set of aspects that should be reviewed when deciding which vulnerabilities to address first.
By evaluating each factor, you can make informed decisions that balance risk and resource allocation, leading to a more secure and efficient system.