The timeline is designed for CISOs, CTOs, and security teams in financial institutions or other highly regulated industries. It guides them through a structured process of improving vulnerability management—from assessment and planning to automation and continuous monitoring.

 

Where It Can Be Implemented: 

• Financial institutions (e.g., banks, NBFCs) where data breaches can lead to massive compliance penalties and loss of reputation. 

• Government organisations that handle sensitive data and must adhere to stringent cybersecurity standards. 

• Large enterprises with complex IT infrastructures that need a centralised system for tracking vulnerabilities. 

 

Who Benefits: 

• CISOs: Gain better visibility, reduce SLA breaches, and enhance real-time monitoring of vulnerabilities. 
• CTOs: Ensure that vulnerabilities are managed proactively before system rollouts, reducing risks and creating smoother project launches. 
• Security Teams: Automate time-consuming processes, allowing them to focus on higher-level threats and strategic decision-making. 
• Regulatory Bodies: Improved compliance adherence, reducing the risk of fines or penalties for non-compliance with standards like SEBI and RBI regulations. 

 

 

Phase 1: Preparation (0-1 Month)

• Assessment and Auditing:

  • Objective: Build a comprehensive map of all vulnerabilities across systems and establish a baseline for current security posture.
  • Action: Conduct a thorough vulnerability assessment of the entire IT infrastructure using tools like Nessus or Qualys. Identify the current state of vulnerability management processes and note any gaps in SLA adherence or manual tracking inefficiencies.

• Define Key Stakeholders and Responsibilities:

  • Objective: Establish accountability to ensure seamless transitions between teams.
  • Action: Identify the teams responsible for vulnerability tracking (e.g., CISO, CTO, Security Operations). Set clear roles for pre-rollout (CTO’s team) and post-rollout (CISO’s team) responsibilities.

 

Phase 2: Integration and Automation (1-3 Months)

• Select and Integrate a Centralized Vulnerability Management Platform:

  • Objective: Ensure centralized visibility across all vulnerabilities to reduce manual data entry.
  • Action: Choose a centralized vulnerability tracking system that integrates with existing tools like Nessus and Qualys. Start by setting up automated imports for real-time vulnerability detection and SLA tracking.

• Automate Vulnerability Allocation and SLA Tracking:

  • Objective: Improve response times and reduce SLA breaches.
  • Action: Configure automatic vulnerability allocation based on severity levels, assigning remediation tasks to the relevant teams. Set up SLA tracking with automated reminders for pending remediation.

• Dashboard Setup and Training:

  • Objective: Foster transparency and allow for real-time insights into high-risk vulnerabilities.
  • Action: Set up real-time dashboards to monitor vulnerability statuses across the organization. Provide training to relevant stakeholders on how to use the platform effectively.

 

Phase 3: Rollout and Execution (3-6 Months)

• Implement Pre-Rollout Security Checks:

  • Objective: Reduce risks at launch by addressing potential vulnerabilities in advance.
  • Action: Before launching new software or system updates, ensure pre-rollout security checks are done using automated scans. Track vulnerabilities and patch them before moving forward with implementation.

• Continuous Monitoring and AI Integration:

  • Objective: Shift from reactive to proactive vulnerability detection.
  • Action: Enable continuous vulnerability monitoring with periodic automated scans. Start experimenting with AI-driven vulnerability detection tools to predict future threats and anticipate risks.

• Automated Remediation:

  • Objective: Improve response times for lower-severity vulnerabilities while freeing up human resources for more complex tasks.
  • Action: Test automated remediation workflows where applicable, ensuring that low-risk vulnerabilities are patched automatically without manual intervention.

 

Phase 4: Review and Adaptation (6-12 Months)

• Evaluate Efficiency and Compliance Adherence:

  • Objective: Measure the success of the implemented solution and refine processes based on real-world results.
  • Action: Review the outcomes of the new vulnerability management processes, focusing on the reduction of SLA breaches and the effectiveness of automated solutions. Check for compliance with SEBI and RBI regulations.

• Scale and Adjust Based on Feedback:

  • Objective: Continually optimize the system to ensure maximum efficiency and security.
  • Action: Gather feedback from security managers and teams. Make adjustments where necessary, particularly in automated processes or dashboard visibility.

 

The timeline allows for incremental improvement while integrating both centralised tracking and automation. By setting clear milestones, the CISO’s team can ensure that vulnerability management moves from reactive firefighting to a proactive, scalable process. This approach benefits the entire organisation by ensuring better cybersecurity resilience and proactive risk management. 

 

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Know more about SE-VULTRAC here. SE-VULTRAC is an all-in-one solution for proactive vulnerability tracking and real-time compliance monitoring.

Before you go, we would like to extend our CyberSecurity Leaders Guide to you. This guide is designed to help you, as senior leaders and cybersecurity experts, navigate the future of cyber threats, understand the evolving regulatory guidelines, and implement strategies to keep your institution secure.