What is the purpose of vulnerability management?

The purpose of vulnerability management is fundamentally centered around identifying, prioritizing, and remediating vulnerabilities within systems and networks. This process involves a systematic approach to discovering security weaknesses that could be exploited by attackers. By identifying these vulnerabilities, organizations can assess which ones pose the highest risk and need to be addressed first.

Prioritization is crucial as it allows organizations to allocate resources effectively, focusing on the vulnerabilities that could have the most significant impact on their security posture. Remediation involves implementing changes such as patches, configurations, or other security measures to mitigate or eliminate the identified vulnerabilities.

This proactive approach to vulnerability management not only helps in reducing the risk of security breaches but also supports compliance with various regulatory requirements and industry standards. The other options do not directly pertain to the systematic identification and remediation processes that characterize vulnerability management. For instance, user training programs, physical security measures, and network traffic monitoring may contribute to an overall security strategy, but they do not encapsulate the core objectives of vulnerability management.