Vulnerability Management & Risk Assessment

Objectives:

• Teach how to identify, evaluate, and mitigate vulnerabilities.
• Develop skills to assess and manage cyber risks.
• Prepare for roles involving compliance and security audits.

Curriculum:

• Introduction to Vulnerability Management
• Vulnerability Scanning & Assessment Tools
• Risk Assessment Methodologies
• Threat & Vulnerability Prioritization
• Patch Management & Remediation
• Continuous Monitoring & Reporting
• Compliance Standards (ISO 27001, PCI-DSS)
• Risk Management Frameworks

12-Week Vulnerability Management & Risk Assessment Curriculum

Week 1: Introduction to Vulnerability Management

The course begins with an overview of vulnerability management fundamentals, emphasizing its role in cybersecurity defense. Participants will learn about the importance of identifying, prioritizing, and mitigating vulnerabilities to reduce organizational risk. The key components of a vulnerability management program and the typical lifecycle will be

introduced, highlighting how vulnerability management integrates with broader security and compliance efforts.

Week 2: Vulnerability Scanning & Assessment Tools Participants will explore popular assessment tools such as Nessus, OpenVAS, and Qualys. Hands-on labs will include deploying, configuring, and running scans on test environments, interpreting scan results, and understanding common vulnerabilities and exposures (CVEs). This week emphasizes selecting appropriate tools and using them effectively to discover weaknesses.

Week 3: Vulnerability Evaluation & Data Analysis

This week trains learners to analyze scan reports, identify critical vulnerabilities, and understand their implications. Focus will be on vulnerability scoring systems like CVSS, prioritization strategies, and differentiating false positives from genuine threats. Labs will involve assessing scan outputs and creating vulnerability dashboards for stakeholders.

Week 4: Risk Assessment Methodologies

Participants will examine various risk assessment frameworks such as NIST 800-30, OWASP Risk Rating, and FAIR. They will learn how to perform qualitative and quantitative risk analyses, considering asset value, threat likelihood, and impact. Practical exercises will include developing risk matrices and performing mock assessments for different organizational scenarios.

Week 5: Threat & Vulnerability Prioritization

This week emphasizes prioritizing remediation efforts based on risk levels, exploitability, and business impact. Learners will practice developing remediation roadmaps and risk-based decision-making. Labs will simulate risk scoring and prioritization workflows tailored to real-world environments.

Week 6: Patch Management & Remediation Strategies

Participants will explore patch management best practices, including patch testing, deployment, and tracking. They will learn to develop effective remediation plans, track vulnerabilities, and verify patch effectiveness. Labs will simulate patch deployment workflows and escalation procedures, highlighting challenges and risk mitigation.

Week 7: Continuous Monitoring & Security Reporting

This week focuses on establishing ongoing vulnerability monitoring processes. Learners will explore integrating vulnerability data with SIEM systems, dashboards, and automated alerts. They will practice generating reports, tracking remediation progress, and communicating risk status to stakeholders for compliance and decision-making.

Week 8: Standards & Compliance (ISO 27001, PCI-DSS) Participants will review key compliance standards, their vulnerability management requirements, and audit processes. They will learn how organizations implement controls to meet standards such as ISO 27001 and PCI-DSS, including documenting policies, conducting assessments, and maintaining compliance evidence.

Week 9: Risk Management Frameworks & Governance

This week covers broader risk management philosophies, including frameworks like COBIT, NIST Cybersecurity Framework, and FAIR. Learners will understand governance principles, risk appetite, and integration of risk management into organizational strategy. Case studies

will demonstrate successful implementations.

Week 10: Vulnerability & Patch Management Simulation

Participants will execute hands-on vulnerability scanning, risk assessment, vulnerability prioritization, and patch deployment in a simulated environment. The labs will involve coordinating remediation efforts,verifying patch effectiveness, and documenting progress, mimicking real-world workflows.

Week 11: Gap Analysis & Audit Preparation

Learners will perform comprehensive vulnerability and compliance gap analyses within simulated audits. They will review organizational policies, assess control gaps, and prepare audit documentation for standards like ISO or PCI-DSS. This session emphasizes audit readiness and continuous improvement.

Week 12: Capstone Project & Final Review

The program concludes with a capstone project where participants develop a complete vulnerability management plan for a hypothetical organization, including assessment, prioritization, remediation, and reporting. Final review sessions, mock assessments, and practical quizzes will prepare learners for certifications and real-world roles, solidifying their understanding of vulnerability and risk management.

Labs/Tools/Simulations:

• Nessus, OpenVAS, Qualys scans
• Risk scoring exercises
• Patch implementation simulations
• Vulnerability reporting workflows
• Compliance gap analysis

Internships & Projects:

• Vulnerability scanning & mitigation projects
• Risk assessment case studies
• Security audit reports

Certifications:

• CompTIA Security+
• Certified Vulnerability Assessor
• Risk Management certifications (CRISC)

Job Readiness Program:

• CV/resume writing sessions
• Interview prep specific to vulnerability management roles
• Industry best practices workshops