What is a vulnerability assessment?

A vulnerability assessment is defined as a systematic evaluation of security weaknesses in an information system. This involves identifying, quantifying, and prioritizing vulnerabilities in a system to ensure that potential threats are recognized and mitigated. The assessment process typically includes scanning for vulnerabilities, analyzing the results, and recommending remediation strategies to enhance the security posture of the system.

This focus on security weaknesses allows organizations to proactively address potential threats before they can be exploited, thereby protecting sensitive information and maintaining system integrity. Effective vulnerability assessments are crucial for compliance with various security standards and regulations, as they help organizations understand their risk landscape and take appropriate actions to mitigate those risks.

The other options, while related to different aspects of IT management, do not accurately describe the scope and intent of a vulnerability assessment. They pertain to employee development, usage audits, and vendor evaluations, but none capture the essence of systematically evaluating security vulnerabilities within information systems.