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Execute Nessus-based vulnerability assessments with validated findings, risk-prioritized r.

Execute Nessus-based vulnerability assessments with validated findings, risk-prioritized remediation guidance, and auditable scan evidence.

Category

Security

Execution

6 steps, sequential + gated

Goal

Execute Nessus-based vulnerability assessments with validated findings, risk-prioritized remediation guidance, and auditable scan evidence.

Scope

Applies to

  • +Run vulnerability scan with Nessus
  • +Perform authenticated patch/compliance assessment
  • +Validate remediation with rescan evidence

Does not cover

  • −Trivial changes outside the workflow domain

Triggers

"Run vulnerability scan with Nessus""Perform authenticated patch/compliance assessment""Validate remediation with rescan evidence""Produce prioritized CVE-based remediation plan"

Inputs

  • →Context: environment/system affected
  • →Scope: change boundary
  • →Constraints: policy or hard rules

Invariants

  • 01Scanning must only run within explicit written authorization boundaries.
  • 02Credentialed scan integrity must be verified before trusting results.
  • 03Critical/high findings require false-positive triage before escalation.
  • 04Findings must map to concrete remediation actions and owners.
  • 05Scan metadata (plugin date, policy, auth status) must be preserved.

Procedure

  1. Step 1Step 1 — **Plan and configure scan**
  2. Step 2Step 2 — **Run scan and monitor**
  3. Step 3Step 3 — **Validate result quality**
  4. Step 4Step 4 — **Prioritize findings**
  5. Step 5Step 5 — **Publish actionable report**
  6. Step 6Step 6 — **Rescan and verify**

Outputs

  • ▸Nessus scan result package (raw + curated findings view).
  • ▸Prioritized remediation matrix with SLA and ownership.
  • ▸False-positive validation notes and confidence rationale.
  • ▸Rescan verification report for remediated findings.

Review Gate

  • [ ]Scan ran within authorized scope and approved window.
  • [ ]Authentication coverage is measured and reported.
  • [ ]Critical/high findings are validated and prioritized.
  • [ ]Remediation guidance is actionable and ownership-bound.
  • [ ]Rescan confirms remediation outcomes where required.