Vulnerability Management Policy Template

Document Control Information

• Document Title: Vulnerability Management Policy

• Document Version: 1.0
• Last Updated: [DATE]
• Document Owner: [ROLE/NAME]
• Approved By: [ROLE/NAME]
• Next Review Date: [DATE]

1. Introduction

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1.1 Purpose

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This Vulnerability Management Policy establishes [ORGANIZATION NAME]’s
requirements for identifying, assessing, remediating, and monitoring security
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vulnerabilities in information systems, applications, and infrastructure in accordance
with ISO 27001:2022 requirements. It provides a framework for systematically
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addressing vulnerabilities to reduce security risks.
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1.2 Scope
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This policy applies to: - All information systems, applications, and infrastructure
owned or managed by [ORGANIZATION NAME] - All technology platforms, including
servers, endpoints, network devices, cloud services, and applications - All
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environments, including production, development, test, and disaster recovery - All

employees, contractors, and third parties responsible for managing systems and
applications - All locations where [ORGANIZATION NAME] operates
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1.3 Policy Statement

[ORGANIZATION NAME] is committed to: - Implementing a comprehensive

vulnerability management program - Regularly identifying and assessing
vulnerabilities in information systems - Prioritizing vulnerabilities based on risk to the
organization - Remediating vulnerabilities in a timely manner according to their
severity - Monitoring the effectiveness of vulnerability management activities -
Continuously improving vulnerability management processes

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2. Vulnerability Identification

2.1 Vulnerability Scanning

• Regular vulnerability scanning shall be performed on all systems and

applications
• Scanning frequency shall be based on system criticality:
◦ Critical systems: At least monthly
◦ High-risk systems: At least quarterly
◦ Other systems: At least semi-annually
• Scanning shall be performed after significant changes
• Scanning tools shall be kept up to date
• Scanning shall be performed by qualified personnel
• Scanning shall be authorized and documented

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• Scanning results shall be securely stored

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2.2 Penetration Testing

• Penetration testing shall be performed on critical systems and applications

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• Testing frequency shall be at least annually for critical systems
• Testing shall be performed after significant changes
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• Testing shall be performed by qualified personnel
• Testing scope and methodology shall be documented
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• Testing shall be authorized and controlled

• Testing results shall be securely stored
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• Testing shall not impact production operations

2.3 Threat Intelligence

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• Threat intelligence shall be collected and analyzed

• Intelligence sources may include:
◦ Vendor security advisories
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◦ Security mailing lists

◦ Industry groups
◦ Government agencies
◦ Security researchers
◦ Commercial threat feeds
• Intelligence shall be assessed for relevance and impact
• Relevant intelligence shall be incorporated into vulnerability management
• Intelligence shall be shared with appropriate stakeholders
• Intelligence effectiveness shall be regularly assessed

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2.4 Security Research

• Security research findings shall be monitored

• Research sources may include:
◦ Academic publications
◦ Security conferences
◦ Security blogs and websites
◦ Social media
◦ Open source intelligence
• Research shall be assessed for relevance and impact
• Relevant research shall be incorporated into vulnerability management
• Research shall be shared with appropriate stakeholders
• Research monitoring effectiveness shall be regularly assessed

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3. Vulnerability Assessment

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3.1 Vulnerability Validation

• Identified vulnerabilities shall be validated

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• Validation shall confirm:
◦ Vulnerability existence
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◦ Applicability to the environment
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◦ Potential impact
◦ Exploitation difficulty
• False positives shall be documented
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• Validation shall be performed by qualified personnel

• Validation results shall be documented
• Validation methods shall be appropriate to the vulnerability
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3.2 Risk Assessment

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• Vulnerabilities shall be assessed for risk

• Risk assessment shall consider:
◦ Vulnerability severity
◦ System criticality
◦ Data sensitivity
◦ Exploitation likelihood
◦ Potential impact
◦ Existing controls
• Risk assessment shall follow established methodology
• Risk assessment shall be documented
• Risk assessment shall inform prioritization
• Risk assessment methodology shall be regularly reviewed

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3.3 Vulnerability Prioritization

• Vulnerabilities shall be prioritized based on risk

• Prioritization shall use a defined rating system
• Rating system shall include:
◦ Critical: Severe vulnerabilities in critical systems requiring immediate
attention
◦ High: Significant vulnerabilities requiring prompt attention
◦ Medium: Moderate vulnerabilities requiring planned attention
◦ Low: Minor vulnerabilities requiring routine attention
• Prioritization shall consider business context
• Prioritization shall be documented
• Prioritization shall inform remediation timeframes
• Prioritization methodology shall be regularly reviewed

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4. Vulnerability Remediation

4.1 Remediation Planning

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• Remediation plans shall be developed for identified vulnerabilities
• Plans shall include:
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◦ Remediation actions
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◦ Required resources
◦ Responsible parties
◦ Timeframes
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◦ Testing requirements
◦ Verification methods
• Plans shall be documented and approved
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• Plans shall be communicated to stakeholders

• Plan progress shall be tracked
• Plan effectiveness shall be assessed
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4.2 Remediation Timeframes

• Remediation timeframes shall be based on vulnerability priority:

◦ Critical vulnerabilities: [X] days
◦ High vulnerabilities: [X] days
◦ Medium vulnerabilities: [X] days
◦ Low vulnerabilities: [X] days
• Timeframes shall be measured from vulnerability validation
• Timeframes shall be documented and communicated
• Timeframe exceptions shall be approved and documented
• Timeframe compliance shall be monitored

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 • Timeframes shall be regularly reviewed

4.3 Remediation Methods

• Appropriate remediation methods shall be selected

• Methods may include:
◦ Applying patches or updates
◦ Implementing configuration changes
◦ Deploying additional security controls
◦ Implementing workarounds
◦ Accepting risk (with approval)
• Method selection shall consider:
◦ Effectiveness
◦ Impact on operations

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◦ Resource requirements
◦ Implementation timeframe

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• Method selection shall be documented
• Method effectiveness shall be verified
• Method selection shall be reviewed for improvement opportunities
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4.4 Patch Management
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• Security patches shall be applied according to the Patch Management Policy
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• Patch deployment shall follow change management procedures

• Patches shall be tested before deployment
• Patch deployment shall be prioritized based on vulnerability risk
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• Patch compliance shall be monitored

• Patch exceptions shall be documented and approved
• Patch effectiveness shall be verified
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• Patch management shall be regularly assessed

4.5 Compensating Controls

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• Compensating controls shall be implemented when immediate remediation is

not possible
• Controls shall reduce risk to acceptable levels
• Controls shall be documented and approved
• Controls shall be temporary where possible
• Control effectiveness shall be verified
• Controls shall be regularly reviewed
• Controls shall be removed when remediation is complete
• Control implementation shall follow change management procedures

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5. Vulnerability Tracking and Reporting

5.1 Vulnerability Tracking

• A vulnerability management system shall be maintained

• The system shall track:
◦ Identified vulnerabilities
◦ Validation status
◦ Risk assessment
◦ Remediation plans
◦ Remediation status
◦ Verification status
◦ Exceptions
• The system shall be regularly updated

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• The system shall be accessible to authorized personnel
• The system shall be secured against unauthorized access

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• The system shall support reporting and metrics

5.2 Metrics and Reporting

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• Vulnerability management metrics shall be defined and collected
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• Metrics may include:
◦ Vulnerability counts by severity
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◦ Average time to remediate

◦ Remediation compliance rates
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◦ Aging vulnerabilities
◦ Recurring vulnerabilities
◦ Exception counts
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• Reports shall be generated regularly

• Reports shall be provided to appropriate stakeholders
• Reports shall be used for program improvement
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• Metrics and reporting shall be regularly reviewed

• Reporting shall support compliance requirements

5.3 Status Meetings

• Regular vulnerability status meetings shall be conducted

• Meetings shall include appropriate stakeholders
• Meetings shall review:
◦ New vulnerabilities
◦ Remediation progress
◦ Overdue remediations
◦ Exceptions

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 ◦ Metrics and trends
• Meeting actions shall be documented and tracked
• Meeting frequency shall be appropriate to risk level
• Meeting effectiveness shall be regularly assessed
• Meeting format shall be adjusted as needed

6. Vulnerability Disclosure

6.1 Internal Disclosure

• Vulnerabilities shall be disclosed to internal stakeholders

• Disclosure shall be timely and appropriate
• Disclosure shall include:
◦ Vulnerability description

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◦ Affected systems
◦ Potential impact

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◦ Remediation plans
◦ Required actions
• Disclosure shall be to authorized personnel only
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• Disclosure shall follow established procedures
• Disclosure effectiveness shall be assessed
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• Disclosure procedures shall be regularly reviewed
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6.2 External Disclosure

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• External vulnerability disclosure shall follow established procedures

• Disclosure may be required for:
◦ Customers
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◦ Partners
◦ Regulators
◦ Public
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• Disclosure shall be approved by management and legal

• Disclosure shall be accurate and timely
• Disclosure shall include appropriate information
• Disclosure shall comply with legal and contractual requirements
• Disclosure shall be coordinated with stakeholders
• Disclosure procedures shall be regularly reviewed

6.3 Responsible Disclosure Program

• A responsible disclosure program shall be established

• The program shall provide a mechanism for external parties to report
vulnerabilities

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 • The program shall include:
◦ Reporting channels
◦ Scope definition
◦ Response timeframes
◦ Recognition approach
◦ Legal safe harbor provisions
• Reports shall be acknowledged and investigated
• Reporters shall be kept informed of progress
• Program effectiveness shall be regularly assessed
• Program shall be publicly documented

7. Vulnerability Management for Development

7.1 Secure Development

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• Security vulnerabilities shall be addressed during development

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• Secure development practices shall be followed
• Development shall include:
◦ Security requirements
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◦ Secure coding standards
◦ Security testing
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◦ Code reviews
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◦ Vulnerability scanning
• Development tools shall include security capabilities
• Development teams shall receive security training
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• Development security shall be regularly assessed

• Development security shall align with the Secure Development Policy
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7.2 Pre-Release Testing

• Security testing shall be performed before release

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• Testing shall include:

◦ Vulnerability scanning
◦ Static application security testing
◦ Dynamic application security testing
◦ Penetration testing where appropriate
• Testing results shall be addressed before release
• Critical and high vulnerabilities shall be remediated
• Other vulnerabilities shall be documented and planned
• Testing shall be appropriate to application risk
• Testing shall be documented
• Testing effectiveness shall be regularly assessed

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7.3 Third-Party Code

• Third-party code shall be assessed for vulnerabilities

• Assessment shall include:
◦ Open source components
◦ Commercial libraries
◦ Frameworks
◦ APIs
• Software composition analysis shall be performed
• Vulnerable components shall be identified and addressed
• Component inventory shall be maintained
• Component updates shall be monitored
• Component selection shall consider security
• Component assessment shall be regularly performed

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8. Cloud and Third-Party Vulnerability Management

8.1 Cloud Services

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• Cloud service vulnerabilities shall be managed
• Management shall include:
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◦ Understanding shared responsibility model
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◦ Implementing customer-side controls

◦ Monitoring provider security status
◦ Reviewing provider security assessments
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◦ Implementing additional controls where needed

• Provider security capabilities shall be assessed
• Provider security incidents shall be monitored
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• Provider vulnerability management shall be verified

• Cloud security posture shall be regularly assessed
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8.2 Third-Party Systems

• Third-party system vulnerabilities shall be managed

• Management shall include:
◦ Defining security requirements
◦ Assessing security capabilities
◦ Reviewing security assessments
◦ Monitoring security status
◦ Addressing identified vulnerabilities
• Third-party security shall be contractually required
• Third-party security shall be regularly verified
• Third-party security incidents shall be monitored

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 • Third-party vulnerability management shall align with the Third-Party Security
Policy

9. Vulnerability Management Program

9.1 Program Governance

• A vulnerability management program shall be established

• The program shall include:
◦ Policies and procedures
◦ Roles and responsibilities
◦ Tools and technologies
◦ Processes and workflows
◦ Metrics and reporting

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• The program shall be approved by management
• The program shall be adequately resourced

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• The program shall be regularly reviewed
• The program shall be continuously improved
• The program shall align with the Information Security Policy
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9.2 Tools and Technologies
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• Appropriate tools shall be implemented for vulnerability management

• Tools may include:
◦ Vulnerability scanners
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◦ Penetration testing tools

◦ Patch management systems
◦ Configuration management tools
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◦ Threat intelligence platforms

◦ Vulnerability tracking systems
• Tools shall be properly configured and maintained
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• Tools shall be regularly updated

• Tool effectiveness shall be assessed
• Tool selection shall be regularly reviewed
• Tool integration shall be implemented where appropriate

9.3 Continuous Improvement

• The vulnerability management program shall be continuously improved

• Improvement shall be based on:
◦ Performance metrics
◦ Industry best practices
◦ Lessons learned

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 ◦ Audit findings
◦ New technologies
◦ Changing threats
• Improvement initiatives shall be documented
• Improvement progress shall be tracked
• Improvement effectiveness shall be assessed
• Improvement shall be a program objective
• Improvement shall be regularly reviewed

10. Roles and Responsibilities

10.1 Management

• Approve vulnerability management policy

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• Provide resources for vulnerability management
• Review vulnerability management performance

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• Address significant vulnerability issues
• Support vulnerability management initiatives
• Ensure compliance with requirements
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• Approve risk acceptance when necessary
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10.2 Information Security Team
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• Develop and maintain vulnerability management policy

• Oversee vulnerability management program
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• Coordinate vulnerability assessments

• Prioritize vulnerabilities
• Monitor remediation progress
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• Report vulnerability status

• Provide security expertise
• Coordinate with stakeholders
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10.3 IT Operations Team

• Implement vulnerability remediation

• Apply patches and updates
• Implement configuration changes
• Deploy security controls
• Verify remediation effectiveness
• Report remediation status
• Maintain system security
• Support vulnerability assessments

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10.4 Development Team

• Address vulnerabilities in code

• Implement secure coding practices
• Perform security testing
• Remediate identified vulnerabilities
• Report remediation status
• Maintain component security
• Support vulnerability assessments
• Implement security requirements

10.5 System Owners

• Approve vulnerability remediation plans

• Allocate resources for remediation

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• Accept residual risk when necessary
• Ensure timely remediation
• Report remediation status
• Support vulnerability assessments
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• Maintain system security
• Comply with vulnerability management requirements
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11. Compliance and Exceptions
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11.1 Compliance Monitoring

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• Compliance with this policy shall be regularly monitored

• Monitoring shall include:
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◦ Scanning coverage
◦ Remediation timeliness
◦ Exception management
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◦ Documentation completeness
• Non-compliance shall be addressed
• Compliance reports shall be provided to management
• Compliance trends shall be analyzed
• Compliance monitoring shall be regularly reviewed

11.2 Exceptions

Exceptions to this policy shall be: - Documented with justification - Risk-assessed and
approved by the Information Security Manager - Time-limited and regularly reviewed
- Accompanied by compensating controls where appropriate - Tracked in the

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vulnerability management system - Reported in vulnerability management metrics -
Minimized to the extent possible

12. Related Documents

• Information Security Policy

• Patch Management Policy
• Change Management Policy
• Risk Management Policy
• Secure Development Policy
• Third-Party Security Policy
• [LIST OTHER RELEVANT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES]

13. Approval

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This Vulnerability Management Policy is approved by:

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Name: ________________________ Position: ______________________ Date:
_________________________ Signature: _____________________
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