What is a vulnerability assessment?

A vulnerability assessment is a systematic examination aimed at identifying and evaluating security vulnerabilities within a system or network. This process typically involves various methodologies and tools to scan and analyze systems for weaknesses that could be exploited by attackers. It assesses not only existing vulnerabilities but also the potential impacts they could have on the organization if exploited, allowing organizations to prioritize and remediate these issues effectively.

In contrast, the other options represent different aspects of security but do not accurately define what a vulnerability assessment entails. A manual process for securing a network refers to hands-on efforts that may not necessarily involve a thorough evaluation of vulnerabilities. Real-time data monitoring focuses on tracking ongoing activities within a network rather than systematically identifying weaknesses. Updating software applications is part of maintaining system health but does not directly address the evaluation of security vulnerabilities. Thus, the definition provided aligns well with the core purpose of vulnerability assessments in cybersecurity.