1. Define Scope and Goals

• Define Scope and Goals Identify the systems, networks, or applications to be assessed.
• Set clear objectives, such as identifying vulnerabilities for remediation or achieving compliance with standards.

2. Information Gathering

• Gather detailed information about the target environment through scanning tools or manual methods.
• This involves collecting data on system configurations, software versions, open ports, and services running on the system.

3. Vulnerability Detection

• Use automated vulnerability scanners and manual techniques to identify security weaknesses.
• Detect issues like missing patches, outdated software, insecure configurations, or known exploits.

4. Risk Evaluation

• Assess the identified vulnerabilities based on their severity, exploitability, and potential impact on the system.
• Rank the vulnerabilities in order of priority, helping focus efforts on the most critical issues.

5. Reporting and Remediation

• Compile a report detailing the vulnerabilities discovered, their potential risks, and recommended remediation steps.
• The organization should then implement fixes or mitigations and perform follow-up checks to confirm that the vulnerabilities have been resolved.
• This streamlined process ensures vulnerabilities are effectively identified and addressed to improve the security posture of the organization.