Answers to the Most Popular Predictive Prioritization Questions in IT Security

• Predictive prioritization is a method of re-prioritizing vulnerabilities based on the likelihood they will be exploited in an attack.
• This process results in a Vulnerability Priority Rating (VPR), which ranges from zero to ten. It indicates a vulnerability’s severity and remediation priority, unlike the Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS), which focuses on potential impact and exploitability.
• The benefits of predictive prioritization include helping organizations manage cyber risks by focusing on the most threatening vulnerabilities, leveraging machine learning to anticipate future risks, and improving remediation efforts.

Predictive prioritization is a method of re-prioritizing vulnerabilities based on the likelihood they will be exploited in an attack. This process results in a Vulnerability Priority Rating (VPR), which ranges from zero to ten, indicating a vulnerability’s severity and remediation priority. Unlike the Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS), which focuses on potential impact and exploitability, VPR enhances CVSS by incorporating a machine learning-driven threat score to predict future exploitation likelihood.

VPR scores do not replace CVSS scores but are intended to supplement existing prioritization processes. While CVSS provides a foundational understanding of vulnerability impacts, it lacks the granularity needed for effective prioritization, as 60% of CVEs are rated High or Critical. VPR refines this using diverse data sources and recalculates daily to reflect the current threat landscape. This enables organizations to prioritize vulnerabilities that are most likely to be exploited and have significant impacts if breached.

Comparing VPR and CVSS shows that VPR offers a more focused approach. For instance, only 3% of vulnerabilities receive a High or Critical VPR compared to 60% under CVSS. This helps organizations concentrate on the most critical vulnerabilities. VPR considers the existence of exploit code and the predicted likelihood of future exploitation, making it a forward-looking metric.

Understanding VPR scores is crucial. A Critical VPR (>9) indicates a high probability of exploitation and significant impact, whereas a Low VPR suggests a lower risk. Predictive Prioritization also distinguishes between exploitable and actively exploited vulnerabilities, emphasizing the importance of addressing vulnerabilities with higher exploitation probabilities.

The benefits of predictive prioritization include helping organizations manage cyber risks by focusing on the most threatening vulnerabilities, leveraging machine learning to anticipate future risks, and improving remediation efforts. This proactive approach is essential for effective risk management, allowing organizations to allocate resources efficiently and enhance their cybersecurity posture. For more detailed information, the Predictive Prioritization whitepaper offers an in-depth exploration of the methodology and its applications.

Signup to download the full report