Information Technology Specialist (ITS) Cybersecurity Practice Exam

Which security practice is designed to proactively prevent the exploitation of weaknesses in a computer system or software?

1. Incident response

2. Vulnerability management

3. Access control

4. Risk assessment

The correct answer is: Vulnerability management

The security practice that proactively prevents the exploitation of weaknesses in a computer system or software is vulnerability management. This approach involves identifying, evaluating, treating, and reporting security vulnerabilities in the systems and software. By regularly scanning for potential weaknesses, applying patches, and making updates, organizations can significantly reduce the risk of exploitation by malicious actors. Vulnerability management operates through a continuous process that includes tracking vulnerabilities, prioritizing them based on potential risk, and implementing measures to mitigate these vulnerabilities before they can be used against the system. This proactive stance is critical for maintaining the integrity and security of an organization's technology infrastructure. In contrast, incident response focuses on managing and mitigating the effects of a security breach after it has occurred, rather than preventing it. Access control relates to the policies and mechanisms that restrict who can access information or systems, and while it is a vital component of security, it does not specifically address vulnerabilities. Risk assessment involves identifying and analyzing the risks associated with vulnerabilities, but it does not directly prevent them from being exploited. Hence, vulnerability management is the most appropriate practice for proactively preventing the exploitation of weaknesses.