--- title: Time to Re-think Vulnerability Management ? These 5 Facts Say So... description: 5 facts based on data-breach trends that indicate why vulnerability management programs are not working, and some ideas on how to make them work. image: https://blog.aujas.com/hubfs/CVSS-today.jpg --- [![Aujas Logo-1](https://blog.aujas.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Aujas%20Logo-1.webp?width=951&name=Aujas%20Logo-1.webp "Aujas Logo-1")](https://www.aujas.com/) - Services - [Identity and Access Management](https://www.aujas.com/robotics-iam-identity-access-management-services) - [Identity Governance Fast Track](https://www.aujas.com/iam-identity-governance-fast-track) - [Privileged Identity Management Fast Track](https://www.aujas.com/privileged-identity-management) - [Cloud Single Sign-on Fast Track](https://www.aujas.com/cloud-sso) - [Robotics Driven IAM](https://www.aujas.com/robotics-iam-services) - [Risk Aware IAM](https://www.aujas.com/risk-aware-iam) - [Consumer IAM](https://www.aujas.com/consumer-identity-and-access-management) - [Cybersecurity Advisory Services](https://www.aujas.com/cybersecurity-advisory-services) - [Cyber Risk Management](https://www.aujas.com/cyber-risk-management-services) - [Integrated Compliance Management](https://www.aujas.com/cybersecurity-compliance-services) - [GRC Technology Automation](https://www.aujas.com/grc-technology-automation-services) - [Third Party Risk Management](https://www.aujas.com/third-party-risk-management) - [Privacy and Data Protection](https://www.aujas.com/data-privacy-data-protection-services) - [Security Verification](https://www.aujas.com/security-verification-services) - [On-Demand Security Assessment](https://www.aujas.com/on-demand-security-testing-and-services) - [Breach & Attack Simulation](https://www.aujas.com/automated-continuous-attack-simulation) - [IoT Security Assessment](https://www.aujas.com/internet-of-things-security-assessment) - [Red Teaming](https://www.aujas.com/red-teaming-services) - [Integrated Security Assurance Program](https://www.aujas.com/isap) - [DDoS Simulation](https://www.aujas.com/ddos-attack-simulation-services) - [DevSecOps](https://www.aujas.com/devsecops) - [API Security](https://www.aujas.com/api-security) - [Security Engineering](https://www.aujas.com/security-engineering-services) - [Secure Software Development](https://www.aujas.com/secure-software-development) - [Ecosystem Engineering](https://www.aujas.com/ecosystem-engineering) - [Custom Security Development](https://www.aujas.com/custom-security-solution-development) - [Registered Device Management Platform](https://www.aujas.com/registered-device-management-platform) - [Managed Detection and Response](https://www.aujas.com/managed-detection-and-response-services) - [Offensive Security Services](https://www.aujas.com/offensive-security-services) - [OT Security Services](https://www.aujas.com/ot-security-services) - [Microsoft Sentinel](https://www.aujas.com/sentinel) - [Threat Management](https://www.aujas.com/threat-management-service) - [SIEM & Security Monitoring](https://www.aujas.com/siem-security-monitoring) - [SecOps Orchestration](https://www.aujas.com/security-orchestration-automation-and-response) - [Google SecOps](https://www.aujas.com/googlesecops) - [Cloud Security](https://www.aujas.com/cloud-computing-security-services) - [AWS Cloud Security Services](https://www.aujas.com/aws-cloud-security-services) - [Cloud Security Foundation](https://www.aujas.com/cloud-security-foundation) - [Cloud Risk Management](https://www.aujas.com/cloud-risk-management) - [Cloud Security Engineering](https://www.aujas.com/cloud-security-engineering) - Products - [PALM](https://www.aujas.com/platform-for-access-lifecycle-management) - [Saksham](https://saksham.aujas.com) - [CodeSign](https://codesign.aujas.com) - [Aadhaar Registered Device Manager](https://www.aujas.com/registered-device-management-platform) - Company - [About us](https://www.aujas.com/about-us) - [Investor Relations](https://www.aujas.com/investor-relations) - [Team](https://www.aujas.com/team) - [Partnership](https://www.aujas.com/partnership) - [Contact us](https://www.aujas.com/contact-us) - [Careers](https://www.aujas.com/cybersecurity-careers) - Resources - [Blog](https://blog.aujas.com) - [Collaterals](https://www.aujas.com/collaterals) - [Case Studies](https://www.aujas.com/case-study) - [Contact Sales](https://www.aujas.com/contact-us) - ![](https://blog.aujas.com/hubfs/Aujas%202020/blue-search.png) ![blue-search](https://blog.aujas.com/hubfs/Aujas%202020/blue-search.png "blue-search") ![Aujas Cybersecurity Logo 2024](https://blog.aujas.com/hubfs/Aujas%20Cybersecurity%20Logo%202024.webp "Aujas Cybersecurity Logo 2024") - Services - [Identity and Access Management](https://www.aujas.com/robotics-iam-identity-access-management-services) - [Identity Governance Fast Track](https://www.aujas.com/iam-identity-governance-fast-track) - [Privileged Identity Management Fast Track](https://www.aujas.com/privileged-identity-management) - [Cloud Single Sign-on Fast Track](https://www.aujas.com/cloud-sso) - [Robotics Driven IAM](https://www.aujas.com/robotics-iam-services) - [Risk Aware IAM](https://www.aujas.com/risk-aware-iam) - [Consumer IAM](https://www.aujas.com/consumer-identity-and-access-management) - [Cybersecurity Advisory Services](https://www.aujas.com/cybersecurity-advisory-services) - [Cyber Risk Management](https://www.aujas.com/cyber-risk-management-services) - [Integrated Compliance Management](https://www.aujas.com/cybersecurity-compliance-services) - [GRC Technology Automation](https://www.aujas.com/grc-technology-automation-services) - [Third Party Risk Management](https://www.aujas.com/third-party-risk-management) - [Privacy and Data Protection](https://www.aujas.com/data-privacy-data-protection-services) - [Security Verification](https://www.aujas.com/security-verification-services) - [On-Demand Security Assessment](https://www.aujas.com/on-demand-security-testing-and-services) - [Breach & Attack Simulation](https://www.aujas.com/automated-continuous-attack-simulation) - [IoT Security Assessment](https://www.aujas.com/internet-of-things-security-assessment) - [Red Teaming](https://www.aujas.com/red-teaming-services) - [Integrated Security Assurance Program](https://www.aujas.com/isap) - [DDoS Simulation](https://www.aujas.com/ddos-attack-simulation-services) - [DevSecOps](https://www.aujas.com/devsecops) - [API Security](https://www.aujas.com/api-security) - [Security Engineering](https://www.aujas.com/security-engineering-services) - [Secure Software Development](https://www.aujas.com/secure-software-development) - [Ecosystem Engineering](https://www.aujas.com/ecosystem-engineering) - [Custom Security Development](https://www.aujas.com/custom-security-solution-development) - [Registered Device Management Platform](https://www.aujas.com/registered-device-management-platform) - [Managed Detection and Response](https://www.aujas.com/managed-detection-and-response-services) - [Offensive Security Services](https://www.aujas.com/offensive-security-services) - [OT Security Services](https://www.aujas.com/ot-security-services) - [Microsoft Sentinel](https://www.aujas.com/sentinel) - [Threat Management](https://www.aujas.com/threat-management-service) - [SIEM & Security Monitoring](https://www.aujas.com/siem-security-monitoring) - [SecOps Orchestration](https://www.aujas.com/security-orchestration-automation-and-response) - [Google SecOps](https://www.aujas.com/googlesecops) - [Cloud Security](https://www.aujas.com/cloud-computing-security-services) - [AWS Cloud Security Services](https://www.aujas.com/aws-cloud-security-services) - [Cloud Security Foundation](https://www.aujas.com/cloud-security-foundation) - [Cloud Risk Management](https://www.aujas.com/cloud-risk-management) - [Cloud Security Engineering](https://www.aujas.com/cloud-security-engineering) - Products - [PALM](https://www.aujas.com/platform-for-access-lifecycle-management) - [Saksham](https://saksham.aujas.com) - [CodeSign](https://codesign.aujas.com) - [Aadhaar Registered Device Manager](https://www.aujas.com/registered-device-management-platform) - Company - [About us](https://www.aujas.com/about-us) - [Investor Relations](https://www.aujas.com/investor-relations) - [Team](https://www.aujas.com/team) - [Partnership](https://www.aujas.com/partnership) - [Contact us](https://www.aujas.com/contact-us) - [Careers](https://www.aujas.com/cybersecurity-careers) - Resources - [Blog](https://blog.aujas.com) - [Collaterals](https://www.aujas.com/collaterals) - [Case Studies](https://www.aujas.com/case-study) - [Contact Sales](https://www.aujas.com/contact-us) - ![](https://blog.aujas.com/hubfs/Aujas%202020/blue-search.png) ![](https://blog.aujas.com/hubfs/Aujas%202020/close.png)     # Time to Re-think Vulnerability Management ? These 5 Facts Say So... - ![Anupam Bonanthaya](https://blog.aujas.com/hubfs/97041.jpg)[Anupam Bonanthaya](https://blog.aujas.com/author/anupam-bonanthaya) - May 25, 2016 - [Cybersecurity](https://blog.aujas.com/topic/cybersecurity), [databreach](https://blog.aujas.com/topic/databreach) SHARE --- Do you know what is the most predictable trend in Information Risk Management ? It is vulnerabilities. If you review data breach reports from the last few years, you will notice one thing that is very consistent and it is about the vulnerabilities!  The only change is that things have become worse over the years, and looks like the trend will continue. Does it say something about our approach to managing vulnerabilities?  Perhaps! So are we missing something? Perhaps! In this post I have pulled out 5 trends that I feel clearly indicates that the current approach of vulnerability management is not working, and it is time to re-think our approach. --- ## #1 Software is (highly) vulnerable ![CVSS-today.jpg](https://blog.aujas.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CVSS-today.jpg?width=711&height=278&name=CVSS-today.jpg "CVSS-today.jpg") (Source: CVSS distribution, CVEdetails.com May 2016)   As of today there are 75,363 vulnerabilities, out of which 2,549 were added in 2016 so far. Given the exciting times of  new technologies like IoT, Blockchain, Cloud, etc this trend is only going to change for the worse. The bigger concern is that there are **11,181 vulnerabilities that fall into the 9-10 category** - the highest score for severity as per CVSS. And this is not a manageable number by any means.  Also the CVSS table is heavily tilted towards the right with a strong hue of red, as is visible above.    So if you go by the CVSS scores - **everything is important unless stated otherwise! **   ## #2 Exploiters are quick(er)   ![bad-guys-act-quick.jpg](https://blog.aujas.com/hs-fs/hubfs/bad-guys-act-quick.jpg?width=1024&name=bad-guys-act-quick.jpg "bad-guys-act-quick.jpg") (Source: Cumulative % of CVEs exploited vs. CVE publish date. DBIR 2015 )   You can see that the majority of vulnerabilities i.e ** more than 50%** **of them got exploited within 4 weeks** **of the CVE publish date**.  Also, if it has a fancy name (and logo) like Heartbleed, Badlock, etc it might be even quicker because the bad guys will pay more attention - just like you and me.   So the time window to remediate is short, and getting shorter. **Are your scan cycles actually putting you in a blind spot?**     ## #3 We are fighting fires (every day) ![catch-up_game.jpg](https://blog.aujas.com/hs-fs/hubfs/catch-up_game.jpg?width=643&height=424&name=catch-up_game.jpg "catch-up_game.jpg")  (Source: Delta of number of vulnerabilities opened each week and number closed. DBIR 2016)   During most weeks - The number of vulnerabilities opened is higher than the number closed. Which simply means that on any given day there is more in your IN box compared to the ones in your OUT box.  Which by the way also means there are many people looking to talk to you. Not a good sign from an operations perspective.    So it is bad that you are **continuously in a catch-up mode**. And probably have no time for other luxuries in life like bio breaks and strategies beyond day-day fire-fighting!     ## #4 Old vulnerabilities continue to haunt ![Old_exploits.jpg](https://blog.aujas.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Old_exploits.jpg?width=670&height=495&name=Old_exploits.jpg "Old_exploits.jpg") (Source: Count of CVEs exploited in 2015 by CVE publication date. DBIR 2016)   The above data indicates that - it doesn't really matter when the CVE was published, old vulnerabilities are still getting exploited in large numbers today. Old hits from the 90's are still popular today. Maybe it is true that exploiters use some kind of data and strategy to do their job? They definitely know your soft spots!   So you **need a way to keep track of every piece of old junkie** in the attic. You might have forgotten about them, but there are people watching!     ## #5 Patching is looking that (other) way   ![closure_trends.jpg](https://blog.aujas.com/hubfs/closure_trends.jpg "closure_trends.jpg") (Source: Closure rate of CVEs by CVE publication date. DBIR 2016)   Look at this interesting chart above. The vulnerabilities remedied in 2015 were more concentrated on the CVEs published in the same year or a couple of years before. Looks like a good job right? Wrong. If you look at the earlier chart in #4 - you see how disconnected they are. If older vulnerabilities are getting exploited, why is all the effort concentrated on the newer ones?  You definitely need a better way to know which ones are important to the exploiter!   So **knowing the right assets to patch is much more valuable than sprinting to patch** for the latest and greatest vulnerabilities.      --- CONCLUSION:   If I have to summarize the above 5 facts in 2 sentences - **You need a better way to know which vulnerabilities are critical, and you should have a water-tight process to remediate (or mitigate) them as quickly as possible.** **Remember vulnerabilities are here to stay, CVSS scores are not that helpful, and the exploiters do not wait (usually). And you are busy !**   One way of doing this is by using our Security Analytics and Visualization Platform (SAVP) which helps to make your Vulnerability Management Program **more effective and efficient by using Analytics along with Intelligence.** ![Footer-Logo](https://blog.aujas.com/hubfs/Aujas%202019/Footer/Footer-Logo.png "Footer-Logo") ## Reach Us [+1 201 389 9011](tel:+1%20201%20389%209011) ## Write To Us **Sales:** [contact@aujas.com](mailto:contact@aujas.com) **Jobs:** [careers@aujas.com](mailto:careers@aujas.com) **HR Queries:** [HRopsteam@aujas.com](mailto:hropsteam@aujas.com)   - [1](https://www.linkedin.com/company/aujas-cybersecurity) - [2](https://twitter.com/AujasIRM) - [3](https://www.facebook.com/AujasCybersec/?ref=py_c) - [4](https://www.youtube.com/@AujasCybersecurity) ## [Identity and Access Management](https://www.aujas.com/identity-access-management-services) - [Identity Governance Fast Track](https://www.aujas.com/iam-identity-governance-fast-track) - [PIM Fast Track](https://www.aujas.com/privileged-identity-management) - [Cloud Single Sign-on Fast Track](https://www.aujas.com/cloud-sso) - [Robotics Driven IAM](https://www.aujas.com/robotics-iam-services) - [Risk Aware IAM](https://www.aujas.com/risk-aware-iam) - [Consumer IAM](https://www.aujas.com/consumer-identity-and-access-management) ## [Cybersecurity Advisory Services](https://www.aujas.com/cybersecurity-advisory-services) - [Cyber Risk Management](https://www.aujas.com/cyber-risk-management-services) - [Integrated Compliance Management](https://www.aujas.com/cybersecurity-compliance-services) - [GRC Automation](https://www.aujas.com/grc-technology-automation-service) - [Third Party Risk Management](https://www.aujas.com/third-party-risk-management-old) - [Privacy and Data Protection](https://www.aujas.com/data-privacy-data-protection-services) ## Company - [About us](https://www.aujas.com/about-us) - [Careers](https://www.aujas.com/cybersecurity-careers) - [Contact us](https://www.aujas.com/contact-us) ## Resources - [Blog](https://blog.aujas.com) - [Collaterals](https://www.aujas.com/collaterals) - [Case Study](https://www.aujas.com/case-study) ## [Security Verification](https://www.aujas.com/security-verification-services) - [Threat Simulation](https://www.aujas.com/threat-simulations) - [loT Security](https://www.aujas.com/internet-of-things-security-assessment) - [Penetration Testing](https://www.aujas.com/crest-certified-penetration-testing-services) ## [Security Engineering](https://www.aujas.com/security-engineering-services) - [Secure Development](https://www.aujas.com/secure-software-development) - [Ecosystem Engineering](https://www.aujas.com/ecosystem-engineering) - [CodeSign Platform](https://codesign.aujas.com/) - [Custom Security Development](https://www.aujas.com/custom-security-solution-development) ## [Managed Detection and Response](https://www.aujas.com/managed-threat-detection-and-response-services) - [Threat Management](https://www.aujas.com/threat-management) - [SIEM & Security Monitoring](https://www.aujas.com/siem-security-monitoring) - [Automated & Continous Attack Simulation](https://www.aujas.com/automated-continuous-attack-simulation) - [SecOps Orchestration](https://www.aujas.com/security-orchestration-automation-and-response) - [Google SecOps](https://www.aujas.com/googlesecops) ## [Identity and Access Management](https://www.aujas.com/identity-access-management-services) - [Identity Governance Fast Track](https://www.aujas.com/iam-identity-governance-fast-track) - [PIM Fast Track](https://www.aujas.com/privileged-identity-management) - [Cloud Single Sign-on Fast Track](https://www.aujas.com/cloud-sso) - [Robotics Driven IAM](https://www.aujas.com/robotics-iam-services) - [Risk Aware IAM](https://www.aujas.com/risk-aware-iam) - [Consumer IAM](https://www.aujas.com/consumer-identity-and-access-management) ## [Cybersecurity Advisory Services](https://www.aujas.com/cybersecurity-advisory-services) - [Cyber Risk Management](https://www.aujas.com/cyber-risk-management-services) - [Integrated Compliance Management](https://www.aujas.com/cybersecurity-compliance-services) - [GRC Automation](https://www.aujas.com/grc-technology-automation-service) - [Third Party Risk Management](https://www.aujas.com/third-party-risk-management-old) - [Privacy and Data Protection](https://www.aujas.com/data-privacy-data-protection-services) ## [Security Verification](https://www.aujas.com/security-verification-services) - [Threat Simulation](https://www.aujas.com/threat-simulations) - [loT Security](https://www.aujas.com/internet-of-things-security-assessment) - [Penetration Testing](https://www.aujas.com/crest-certified-penetration-testing-services) ## [Security Engineering](https://www.aujas.com/security-engineering-services) - [Secure Development](https://www.aujas.com/secure-software-development) - [Ecosystem Engineering](https://www.aujas.com/ecosystem-engineering) - [CodeSign Platform](https://codesign.aujas.com/) - [Custom Security Development](https://www.aujas.com/custom-security-solution-development) ## [Managed Threat Detection and Response](https://www.aujas.com/managed-threat-detection-and-response-services) - [Threat Management](https://www.aujas.com/threat-management) - [SIEM & Security Monitoring](https://www.aujas.com/siem-security-monitoring) - [Automated & Continous Attack Simulation](https://www.aujas.com/automated-continuous-attack-simulation) - [SecOps Orchestration](https://www.aujas.com/security-orchestration-automation-and-response) - [Google SecOps](https://www.aujas.com/googlesecops) ## Company - [About us](https://www.aujas.com/about-us) - [Careers](https://www.aujas.com/cybersecurity-careers) - [Contact us](https://www.aujas.com/contact-us) ## Resources - [Blog](https://blog.aujas.com) - [Collaterals](https://www.aujas.com/collaterals) - [Case Study](https://www.aujas.com/case-study) Copyrights © 2025 All Rights Reserved by Aujas. - [Terms of Use](https://www.aujas.com/terms-of-service) - [Privacy Policy](https://www.aujas.com/privacy-policy) - [Cookie Policy](https://www.aujas.com/cookie-policy) ![](https://px.ads.linkedin.com/collect/?pid=656027&fmt=gif) ![websights](https://ws.zoominfo.com/pixel/62839c658f43f50012ae3b9a)