The global skills and competency framework for the digital world

Vulnerability research VURE

Conducting applied research to discover, evaluate and mitigate new or unknown security vulnerabilities and weaknesses.

Revision notes

Updates for SFIA 9

  • Theme(s) influencing the updates for this skill: Include cryptography, Making SFIA easier to consume (new levels).
  • Added reference to cryptography
  • New level 2 added to support entry-level roles.
  • 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

A security vulnerability is a weakness, flaw or error found within a security system that has the potential to be leveraged by an external agent to compromise a secure system.

Activities may include, but are not limited to:

  • researching new threats, attack vectors, risks and potential solutions
  • researching new or emerging cryptographic vulnerabilities 
  • reverse engineering hardware or software 
  • applying tools such as disassemblers, debuggers and fuzzers 
  • analysing embedded devices
  • developing techniques and tools to analyse and expose vulnerabilities
  • designing new vulnerability discovery techniques
  • sharing mitigation techniques with relevant stakeholders.

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 6

Vulnerability research: 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.

Assists with vulnerability research tasks under routine supervision.

Helps document and report findings from vulnerability research activities.

Vulnerability research: 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.

Applies standard techniques and tools for vulnerability research.

Uses available resources to update knowledge of relevant specialism.

Participates in research communities.

Analyses and reports on activities and results.

Vulnerability research: 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.

Designs and executes complex vulnerability research activities.

Specifies requirements for environment, data, resources and tools to perform assessments.

Reviews test results and modifies tests if necessary. Creates reports to communicate methodology, findings and conclusions. Advises on deception methods by exploiting identified patterns.

Makes an active contribution to research communities.

Vulnerability research: 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 research activities.

Maintains a strong external network for vulnerability research. Gathers information on new and emerging threats and vulnerabilities.

Assesses and documents the impacts and threats to the organisation. Creates reports and shares knowledge and insights with stakeholders.

Provides expert advice and guidance to support the adoption of tools and techniques for vulnerability research. Contributes to the development of organisational policies, standards and guidelines for vulnerability research and assessment.

Vulnerability research: Level 6

Level 6 - Initiate, influence: Essence of the level: Has significant organisational influence, makes high-level decisions, shapes policies, demonstrates leadership, promotes organisational collaboration, and accepts accountability in key areas.

Plans and leads the organisation’s approach to vulnerability research.

Identifies new and emerging threats and vulnerabilities. Maintains a strong external network. Takes a leading part in external-facing professional activities to facilitate information gathering and set the scope of research work.

Engages with and influences relevant stakeholders to communicate results of research and the required response.

Develops organisational policies and guidelines for monitoring emerging threats and vulnerabilities.

Keywords
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