What phase in vulnerability management focuses on discovering known and unknown vulnerabilities?

The phase in vulnerability management that focuses on discovering known and unknown vulnerabilities is the Identification phase. This phase is crucial because it involves actively scanning and assessing systems to build a comprehensive inventory of vulnerabilities, whether they are previously documented or newly discovered.

During the Identification phase, various techniques and tools are employed, such as vulnerability scanning, threat intelligence feeds, and system auditing, to probe for weaknesses. The goal is to gather as much information as possible about potential vulnerabilities in the environment, which can include misconfigurations, software flaws, or even emerging threats that have not yet been widely recognized.

This foundational step sets the stage for the subsequent phases of vulnerability management, such as Assessment, which evaluates the risks associated with the identified vulnerabilities, and Remediation, where actionable plans are put into place to address them. The Reporting phase, while important, focuses more on documenting findings and recommendations rather than the active discovery of vulnerabilities. Thus, the Identification phase stands out as the key phase for discovering vulnerabilities within an organization's infrastructure.