Turvavigusid

Turvavigusid are weaknesses in a system that could be exploited to compromise security objectives such as confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The term is used in Estonian information security and translates roughly to "security vulnerabilities." These weaknesses can reside in software and hardware products, network configurations, processes, or human factors.

Origins and scope: In information security, turvavigusid are identified through testing, analysis, and monitoring. They are cataloged in vulnerability databases and assessed for risk using standardized scoring systems. Vulnerabilities may be technical, such as insecure software components, misconfigurations, weak authentication, or cryptographic flaws, or organizational, such as insufficient access controls or inadequate change management.

Identification and assessment: Common methods include automated vulnerability scanning, manual penetration testing, code review, threat modeling, and risk assessment frameworks. The impact is measured in potential data loss, service disruption, financial cost, and reputational damage. Systems in high-assurance sectors, such as finance or critical infrastructure, often require formal vulnerability management programs and regular audits.

Mitigation and management: Effective handling relies on patch management, configuration hardening, access control improvements, encryption, secure development practices, and continuous monitoring. Many organizations adopt a defense-in-depth strategy and a vulnerability disclosure program to coordinate external reporting.

Frameworks and standards: Guidance comes from frameworks like NIST Cybersecurity Framework, OWASP Top Ten, and ISO/IEC 27001, which emphasize vulnerability management as part of overall risk governance.

See also: vulnerability, cybersecurity, risk management, CVE, CVSS.