What are Security Vulnerabilities?
Definition
Weaknesses in systems, applications, or processes exploitable by threats to compromise security. Vulnerabilities result from coding errors, misconfigurations, design flaws, or insufficient controls. Organizations use Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) identifiers and Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) to track and prioritize vulnerabilities. RFPs should require vendors to disclose vulnerability management processes, patch timelines, and historical vulnerability counts.
Why This Matters
All software contains vulnerabilities. The critical factor is vendor's vulnerability management process: identification, prioritization, remediation timelines, and disclosure. Organizations should require vendors to disclose vulnerability management processes, average patch timelines, and historical vulnerability counts. Rapid vulnerability response indicates mature security programs. Delayed or inadequate response creates persistent risk.
Related Terms
Showing semantically related terms from our RFP knowledge graph. Priority connections are highlighted.
Essential Connections
Penetration Testing
Security & Compliance
Simulated cyber attacks testing security defenses by attempting to exploit vulnerabilities in applications, networks, or systems.
Security Scanning
Security & Compliance
Automated identification of security vulnerabilities in systems, applications, and networks.
Security Incident
Security & Compliance
Event threatening the confidentiality, integrity, or availability of information or systems.
Security Controls
Security & Compliance
Technical and procedural safeguards implemented to protect data, systems, and infrastructure from unauthorized access, breaches, and threats.
Incident Response
Security & Compliance
Structured approach to detecting, analyzing, containing, and recovering from security breaches including incident detection, assessment, containment, eradication, recovery, and post-incident review.
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Related RFP Templates
Explore our top RFP templates - all 75 templates include questions about security vulnerabilities