VPM-07: Time To Remediate / Benchmarks For Corrective Action
Mechanisms exist to track the effectiveness of remediation operations through metrics reporting.
Renumbered: Formerly VPM-05.3 in SCF 2025.4.
Code reused: In SCF 2025.4 and earlier, VPM-07 was Penetration Testing. That control is now VPM-18.
Control Question: Does the organization track the effectiveness of remediation operations through metrics reporting?
General (7)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| GovRAMP | SI-02(03) |
| GovRAMP Moderate | SI-02(03) |
| GovRAMP High | SI-02(03) |
| NIST AI 600-1 | MS-2.7-006 |
| NIST 800-53 R4 | SI-2(3) |
| NIST 800-53 R5.2 | SI-02(03) |
| NIST 800-82 R3 | SI-02(03) |
US (6)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| USA Federal C2M2 2.1 | THREAT-1i RISK-2l |
| USA Federal FedRAMP R5 (moderate) | SI-02(03) |
| USA Federal FedRAMP R5 (high) | SI-02(03) |
| USA Federal IRS 1075 2021 | SI-2(CE-3).a SI-2(CE-3).b |
| USA Federal TSA SDP 2021-02F | III.E.2.a |
| USA Federal TSA / DHS 1580/82-2022-01 | III.E.2.a |
EMEA (1)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| EMEA EU DORA RTS 2024 | Article 10.4(d) |
APAC (2)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| APAC Malaysia RMiT 2025 | 10.18(b) |
| APAC Singapore CCOP CII 2026 | 5.10.1(e) |
Capability Maturity Model
Level 0 — Not Performed
Practices are non-existent, based on the inability to demonstrate an implemented and operational capability. A reasonable person would conclude the control is not being performed.
Level 1 — Performed Informally
SCR-CMM Level 1 criteria definitions are not available for this control: ▪ A reasonable person would conclude this control requires a structured process. ▪ At this level of maturity, the "ad hoc" nature of performing a capability informally would indicate the intent of the control is not met due to a lack of consistency and formality.
Level 2 — Planned & Tracked
Vulnerability & Patch Management (VPM) capabilities are requirements-driven, but are not standardized across the entity (e.g., local/regional level consistency). Capability criteria associated with this control reasonably expect the following criteria to exist: ▪ Policies and standards associated with VPM domain capabilities are formally documented and centrally-managed by the entity. ▪ Standardized Operating Procedures (SOP) associated with VPM domain capabilities are documented and maintained by process owners. ▪ IT and/or cybersecurity personnel work with business stakeholders and process owners to appropriately scope and reasonably implement cybersecurity and data protection controls associated with VPM domain capabilities to address applicable statutory, regulatory and/or contractual requirements for Technology Assets, Applications, Services and/or Data (TAASD). ▪ Vulnerability management-related controls are primarily administrative and preventative in nature (e.g., policies, standards and procedures & guidelines). ▪ Vulnerability management may be a defined function (e.g., team or department) or assigned as an additional duty to existing IT and/or cybersecurity personnel.
Level 3 — Well Defined
Vulnerability & Patch Management (VPM) capabilities are standardized across the entity for applicability to People, Processes, Technologies, Data and/or Facilities (PPTDF) to ensure consistency for Technology Assets, Applications, Services and/or Data (TAASD). Capability criteria associated with this control reasonably expect the following criteria to exist: ▪ Policies and standards associated with VPM domain capabilities are formally documented and centrally-managed by the entity's Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) team, or similar function. ▪ Standardized Operating Procedures (SOP) associated with VPM domain capabilities are well-documented and kept current by process owners. ▪ A vulnerability management team, or similar function, is appropriately staffed and supported to implement and maintain VPM domain capabilities. ▪ Technology is leveraged to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of vulnerability management operations (e.g., patch management solution and vulnerability scanning solution). ▪ The entity's Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) team, or similar function, works with business stakeholders and process owners to appropriately scope and reasonably implement cybersecurity and data protection controls associated with VPM domain capabilities to address Minimum Compliance Requirements (MCR) (e.g., applicable statutory, regulatory and/or contractual requirements) and Discretionary Security Requirements (DSR) (e.g., entity-required controls). ▪ An implemented and operational capability exists to track the effectiveness of remediation operations through metrics reporting.
Level 4 — Quantitatively Controlled
Vulnerability & Patch Management (VPM) capabilities, in addition to being standardized across the entity and centrally managed to ensure consistency across Technology Assets, Applications, Services and/or Data (TAASD), efforts are metrics driven to provide sufficient insight for decision makers to predict optimal performance, ensure continued operations and/or identify areas for improvement. Capability criteria associated with this control reasonably expect the following criteria to exist: ▪ Applicable SCR-CMM Level 3 (Well Defined) capabilities are implemented and operational. ▪ Metrics reporting includes quantitative analysis of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). ▪ Metrics reporting includes quantitative analysis of Key Risk Indicators (KRIs). ▪ Scope of metrics, KPIs and KRIs covers organization-wide cybersecurity and data protection controls, including functions performed by third-parties. ▪ Organizational leadership maintains a formal process to objectively review and respond to metrics, KPIs and KRIs (e.g., monthly or quarterly review). ▪ Based on metrics analysis, process improvement recommendations are submitted for review and are handled in accordance with change control processes. ▪ Business and technical stakeholders are involved in reviewing and approving proposed changes to evolve capabilities.
Level 5 — Continuously Improving
Vulnerability & Patch Management (VPM) capabilities, in addition to being standardized across the entity and centrally managed to ensure consistency across Technology Assets, Applications, Services and/or Data (TAASD), efforts are metrics driven to provide sufficient insight for decision makers to predict optimal performance, ensure continued operations and/or identify areas for improvement. Capability criteria associated with this control reasonably expect the following criteria to exist: ▪ Applicable SCR-CMM Level 3 (Well Defined) capabilities are implemented and operational. ▪ Based on predictive analysis, process improvements are implemented according to “continuous improvement” practices that affect process changes. ▪ Stakeholders make time-sensitive decisions to support operational efficiency, which may include automated remediation actions via Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Learning (ML) technologies.
Assessment Objectives
- VPM-07_A01 the benchmarks for taking corrective actions are defined.
- VPM-07_A02 the time between flaw identification and flaw remediation is measured.
- VPM-07_A03 benchmarks for taking corrective actions have been established.
Evidence Requirements
- E-VPM-09 Flaw Remediation Actions
-
Documented evidence of list of recent security flaw remediation actions performed on the system (e.g., list of installed patches, service packs, hot fixes, and other software updates to correct system flaws).
Vulnerability & Patch Management
Technology Recommendations
Micro/Small
- Define and track time-to-remediate goals by severity
Small
- Vulnerability remediation SLAs by severity level
Medium
- Formal remediation SLA policy with benchmark tracking
Large
- Enterprise remediation SLA management and benchmarking program
Enterprise
- Enterprise vulnerability management platform with SLA tracking and reporting (e.g., Tenable.io, Qualys)