The global skills and competency framework for the digital world

Vulnerability assessment VUAS

Identifying and classifying security vulnerabilities in networks, systems and applications and mitigating or eliminating their impact.

Revision notes

Updates for SFIA 9

  • Minor readability changes only.
  • You can move to SFIA 9 when you are ready - SFIA 8 skill descriptions will still be available to use.
  • Previous SFIA assessments or skills mapping are not impacted by this change.

Guidance notes

Activities may include, but are not limited to:

  • cataloguing and classifying information and technology resources (assets and capabilities) to support vulnerability assessment
  • assigning quantifiable value, rank order and importance to information and technology resources
  • identifying and analysing the vulnerabilities of each resource, manually or using automated tools and information sources
  • prioritising, scoring and ranking the risk associated with vulnerabilities
  • business impact assessment
  • mitigating or eliminating the vulnerabilities.

Vulnerability assessment tools include web application scanners, protocol scanners and network scanners.

Understanding the responsibility levels of this skill

Where lower levels are not defined...
  • Specific tasks and responsibilities are not defined because the skill requires a higher level of autonomy, influence, and complexity in decision-making than is typically expected at these levels. You can use the essence statements to understand the generic responsibilities associated with these levels.
Where higher levels are not defined...
  • Responsibilities and accountabilities are not defined because these higher levels involve strategic leadership and broader organisational influence that goes beyond the scope of this specific skill. See the essence statements.

Developing skills and demonstrating responsibilities related to this skill

The defined levels show the incremental progression in skills and responsibilities.

Where lower levels are not defined...

You can develop your knowledge and support others who do have responsibility in this area by:

  • Learning key concepts and principles related to this skill and its impact on your role
  • Performing related skills (see the related SFIA skills)
  • Supporting others who are performing higher level tasks and activities
Where higher levels are not defined...
  • You can progress by developing related skills which are better suited to higher levels of organisational leadership.

Show/hide extra descriptions and levels.

Levels of responsibility for this skill

2 3 4 5

Vulnerability assessment: Level 2

Level 2 - Assist: Essence of the level: Provides assistance to others, works under routine supervision, and uses their discretion to address routine problems. Actively learns through training and on-the-job experiences.

Undertakes low-complexity routine vulnerability assessments using automated and semi-automated tools.

Escalates issues where appropriate.

Contributes to documenting the scope and evaluating the results of vulnerability assessments.

Vulnerability assessment: Level 3

Level 3 - Apply: Essence of the level: Performs varied tasks, sometimes complex and non-routine, using standard methods and procedures. Works under general direction, exercises discretion, and manages own work within deadlines. Proactively enhances skills and impact in the workplace.

Follows standard approaches to perform basic vulnerability assessments for small information systems.

Supports creation of catalogues of information and technology assets for vulnerability assessment.

Vulnerability assessment: Level 4

Level 4 - Enable: Essence of the level: Performs diverse complex activities, supports and guides others, delegates tasks when appropriate, works autonomously under general direction, and contributes expertise to deliver team objectives.

Collates and analyses catalogues of information and technology assets for vulnerability assessment.

Performs vulnerability assessments and business impact analysis for medium complexity information systems.

Contributes to selection and deployment of vulnerability assessment tools and techniques.

Vulnerability assessment: Level 5

Level 5 - Ensure, advise: Essence of the level: Provides authoritative guidance in their field and works under broad direction. Accountable for delivering significant work outcomes, from analysis through execution to evaluation.

Plans and manages vulnerability assessment activities within the organisation.

Evaluates, selects and reviews vulnerability assessment tools and techniques.

Provides expert advice and guidance to support the adoption of agreed approaches.

Obtains and acts on vulnerability information and conducts security risk assessments, business impact analysis and accreditation on complex information systems.