The Center for Internet Security (CIS) Controls emphasize proactive measures to reduce risks, and Control 7.1 focuses on creating a documented vulnerability management process to safeguard your enterprise assets.

This safeguard requires organizations to establish and maintain a formal process for identifying, assessing, and addressing vulnerabilities in their systems.

Here’s what this looks like:

• Document the Process: Clearly outline how your organization identifies vulnerabilities, prioritizes them, and mitigates the associated risks. This documentation serves as a roadmap for your vulnerability management efforts.
• Review and Update: The process isn’t static. Review and update it at least annually or whenever significant changes occur, such as deploying new systems, adopting new technologies, or restructuring your IT environment.
• What It Covers: Include all enterprise assets—servers, workstations, applications, and third-party systems.

Why is this important? Vulnerabilities are often exploited by attackers to gain unauthorized access or disrupt operations. A documented process ensures a consistent, repeatable approach to identifying and addressing these weaknesses before they can be exploited.

To recap, CIS Control 7.1 ensures that your organization has a well-defined and regularly updated vulnerability management process, helping you stay ahead of potential threats and maintain a strong security posture.