How do you validate and verify the results and outputs from your threat and vulnerability assessment tools?

2 Importance of validation and verification

Validation and verification are important for several reasons. First, they help you avoid wasting time and resources on addressing false or irrelevant findings, or missing critical ones. Second, they help you improve the quality and credibility of your assessment reports and recommendations, which can influence the decisions and actions of your stakeholders. Third, they help you comply with the standards and regulations that may apply to your assessment, such as ISO 27001, PCI DSS, or NIST SP 800-115. Fourth, they help you learn from your assessment and identify areas for improvement.

3 Validation methods

When validating your assessment results and outputs, you can use several methods depending on the type, level, and purpose of the assessment. For instance, you can compare the results with those from other sources such as peer reviews or external audits, cross-check them with other data points such as incident reports, test them against your own criteria such as risk ratings, and review them with stakeholders like security managers. Doing so will help to ensure the accuracy of your assessment.

4 Verification methods

When assessing, there are various methods to verify your results and outputs depending on the type, level, and complexity of the assessment. For instance, you can repeat or re-run the assessment with different tools, settings, or parameters to ensure consistency and reproducibility. Additionally, you can perform manual or automated validation checks on the assessment tools, such as verifying their versions, licenses, configurations, or updates. Furthermore, you can analyze or test the assessment data to ensure its completeness, accuracy, relevance, or timeliness. Lastly, you can review or audit the assessment process to confirm its documentation, authorization, execution, or quality control.

5 Validation and verification best practices

To ensure that validation and verification are performed effectively, it is important to plan and define objectives, scope, methods, and criteria before conducting an assessment. It is also important to document and report activities, results, and findings alongside assessment results and outputs. Additionally, communication and collaboration with the assessment team, stakeholders, and external parties should be maintained throughout the validation and verification process. Furthermore, performance, outcomes, and feedback should be monitored and measured in order to improve the assessment process and tools.