vulnerability process and assessment memorandum

Vulnerability Management Process for Mercury USA

The vulnerability management process for Mercury USA, a transportation company, should include the following key elements:

1. Vulnerability Identification: This step involves identifying vulnerabilities in the network through regular scanning and assessments. In this case, the third-party pen tester used the free tool Open Vulnerability Assessment Scanner (OpenVAS) to scan Mercury USA's network.

2. Vulnerability Prioritization: Once vulnerabilities are identified, they should be prioritized based on their severity and impact on the business. Factors such as the difficulty of implementation, communication/change control, and inhibitors to remediation should be considered when prioritizing vulnerabilities.

3. Vulnerability Mitigation: The next step is to implement mitigation strategies for the identified and prioritized vulnerabilities. This may include patching, configuration changes, or other remediation actions.

4. Vulnerability Monitoring: Vulnerabilities should be continuously monitored to ensure that they have been effectively mitigated and that new vulnerabilities have not emerged.

5. Communication and Change Control: Effective communication and change control are crucial for ensuring that all stakeholders are aware of the vulnerabilities and the steps being taken to mitigate them. This includes notifying management, IT staff, and other stakeholders of vulnerabilities and their status, as well as documenting the steps taken to mitigate them.

6. Memorandum of Understanding (MOUs) and Service Level Agreements (SLAs) : It's important to have MOUs and SLAs in place with third-party vendors and service providers to ensure that they understand and are held accountable for their role in protecting the organization's assets.

7. Business Process Interruption: The management of vulnerabilities should not interrupt the business process, but rather, it should be integrated into the overall security strategy.

8. Degrading Functionality: Any steps taken to mitigate vulnerabilities should not degrade the functionality of the systems or applications affected.

Evaluation of OpenVAS Scanning Tool

OpenVAS is a widely used open-source vulnerability scanning tool that can be used to identify vulnerabilities in a network. It offers a large number of plugins and supports various operating systems. One of the main advantages of OpenVAS is that it is free to use, making it an attractive option for organizations with limited budgets. However, it can be difficult to set up and configure, and the interface can be confusing for users who are not familiar with vulnerability scanning tools.

Recommendations for Mitigating Vulnerabilities Found within the OpenVAS Report

Based on the results of the OpenVAS scan, the following recommendations can be made to mitigate the vulnerabilities identified:

1. Patch Management: Apply all relevant software patches and updates to address identified vulnerabilities.

2. Configuration Changes: Review and implement configuration changes to address vulnerabilities related to misconfigurations or insecure settings.

3. Network Segmentation: Implement network segmentation to limit the scope of a potential compromise and to improve the overall security of the network.

4. Monitor for New Vulnerabilities: Continuously monitor for new vulnerabilities and address them in a timely manner.

5. Employee education: Provide regular training to employees on security best practices, including how to identify and report potential vulnerabilities.

6. Test and Validate: Test and validate the effectiveness of the mitigations implemented.

By following these recommendations, Mercury USA can effectively manage and mitigate vulnerabilities in its network, improving the overall security of the organization.