Over 100 new software vulnerabilities are discovered daily, and the CVE database logged 38,000 in 2024, a 38% increase. Vulnerability-based ransomware is now the leading way attackers break in, surpassing credential theft and phishing. Security teams need to patch faster, prioritize smarter, and consolidate tools to keep up.
Chapters
Over 100 vulnerabilities are discovered in software and systems on average every day. Vulnerability management continues to grow more difficult for cybersecurity and IT professionals. In 2024 alone, the CVE database recorded over 38,000 vulnerabilities. That's an increase of 38% in just one year. And attackers are moving even faster. Exploitation of vulnerabilities now appears in 20% of all breaches, up 34% from last year, according to the Verizon 2025 DBIR. As for ransomware, the situation is even more dire, with technical vulnerability exploitation now the top access vector, exceeding credential abuse and phishing. Simply put, remediation is harder than ever, and the demand grows for comprehensive, consistent, and cost-effective oversight. Cybersecurity teams must act in smarter ways to reduce the risk of breaches, compromises, and catastrophes. That's why I recently sat down with Robert Leong, Senior Director at HCL BigFix, to talk about how IT and security teams must accelerate remediation to dramatically shrink the exposure window of unpatched systems, intelligently collaborate to prioritize vulnerabilities for maximum effectiveness, and consolidate across tools and teams to leverage resources more efficiently. It was a fantastic discussion on real-world best practices and solutions. Link to the full webinar is in the description below. Big thanks to HCL BigFix for sponsoring the webinar and leading innovation in proactive vulnerability management.
