Cybersecurity Backlogs Are a Governance Problem, Not Just a Scanning Issue
Many organizations are struggling to keep up with the growing number of cybersecurity vulnerabilities on their networks. But instead of investing in better scanning tools or hiring more security experts, these companies need to take a hard look at who is actually responsible for fixing these issues. It’s not about having the right technology or talent – it’s about assigning ownership and accountability.
The problem lies not with detection, but with governance. When a company has a large backlog of unpatched vulnerabilities, it’s often because they don’t have clear lines of responsibility and authority when it comes to addressing these issues. Teams are too busy trying to fix the symptoms rather than tackling the root cause of the problem.
A recent study found that two companies with identical tools, estates, and finding volumes can differ tenfold in how quickly they fix vulnerabilities. What’s the difference between these organizations? In many cases, it comes down to who owns the assets and has the authority and capacity to actually patch them.
When a scanning tool identifies a vulnerability, it doesn’t automatically assign ownership or provide a solution. It simply highlights the issue, leaving teams to figure out what to do next. But if there’s no clear owner of an asset, or if that person lacks authority or capacity to fix the problem, the issue will remain unresolved.
In fact, research suggests that up to 80% of vulnerabilities are not due to a lack of scanning tools, but rather because they’re stuck in a queue with unclear ownership. This means that teams are spending too much time and resources trying to identify who is responsible for fixing an issue, rather than actually addressing the problem.
So what can organizations do to tackle this issue? The answer lies in accurate asset-to-owner mapping – creating a clear picture of who owns each asset on their network and ensuring that they have the authority and capacity to fix any issues. This involves reconciling configuration management databases with scanning findings, identifying gaps, and assigning named owners to every asset.
While this work may not be glamorous, it’s essential for resolving the accountability problem that underlies many organizations’ vulnerability backlogs. By establishing clear lines of responsibility and tracking progress in real-time, companies can finally get a handle on their cybersecurity vulnerabilities and prevent them from becoming major threats.
In conclusion, tackling the issue of vulnerability backlogs requires more than just upgrading scanning tools or hiring more security experts. It’s about assigning ownership and accountability for each asset, ensuring that those responsible have the authority and capacity to fix issues promptly. By taking this approach, organizations can finally get on top of their cybersecurity vulnerabilities and prevent them from becoming major headaches.
Source: Dark Reading — 2026-10-02