In 2025, keeping yourself protected from cyber threats is more important than ever, with attacks from cybercriminals now occurring on a near-daily basis. According to a survey done by Statista, internet-based attack are one of the fastest-growing security threats in the USA. At Rootshell Security, we understand the
need to not only understand the current state of the industry but also anticipate future developments and potential challenges. In this blog post, we outline our top 15 vulnerability management trends and predictions for 2026.
1. Shift to a Risk-Based Approach
The Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) is the standard framework for rating the severity of vulnerabilities on a 0 to 10 scale. While CVSS scores provide valuable technical insights, they capture only one dimension of overall risk.
According to DeepStrike’s data, trends indicate a clear shift toward more strategic, risk-based vulnerability management, largely driven by the sheer volume of new vulnerabilities disclosed each year. Industry best practices now recommend incorporating additional contextual factors when prioritizing vulnerabilities.
This approach recognizes that vulnerabilities with identical CVSS scores can present different risks depending on an organization’s threat exposure.
As a result, organizations understand that it is no longer practical to address every potential vulnerability with equal focus..
2. Asset Management and Prioritization
Gartner predicts that by 2026, organizations that prioritise their security investments based on a continuous threat exposure management (CTEM) programme will be three times less likely to suffer a breach. This reinforces the growing importance of asset management and prioritization in vulnerability management. With organizations managing numerous devices, applications, and data across various environments, having a clear view of their digital systems is both essential and challenging.
Not all assets are equally important to business operations and security, which is why identifying and categorizing assets by significance and potential impact is critical. Effective asset management and prioritization allow organizations to focus resources on the most serious vulnerabilities, strengthening defenses and reducing the likelihood of successful attacks.
3. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Integration
The integration of AI and ML technologies into vulnerability management is revolutionizing how organizations approach security. AI and ML enable the analysis of vast amounts of data, allowing for more accurate and efficient identification of vulnerabilities.
These advanced technologies enable organizations to automate repetitive tasks, accurately detect new threats, and respond faster. Integrating them into vulnerability management solutions marks a major advancement in cybersecurity, strengthening a company’s ability to protect its digital assets.
4. Continuous Vulnerability Assessment and Remediation
Gone are the days of periodic vulnerability scans. Continuous vulnerability assessments involve monitoring the attack surface for vulnerabilities and malware, reducing the window of opportunity for cyber attackers.
Despite this shift, the Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2025 revealed that only 15% of UK businesses reported carrying out a vulnerability audit in the past 12 months, highlighting a considerable gap between best practice and current practice. Best practice is to keep scanning and fixing on a daily or weekly basis.
Continuous monitoring provides many advantages:
- Immediate threat detection
- Reduced cyber risk
- Regulatory compliance
- Full asset visibility
- Prioritized remediation
- DevSecOps integration
- Faster incident response
- Cost efficiency
5. Integration of Vulnerability Management with DevSecOps
Traditional security practices, often relegated to post-development phases, have proven to be inadequate in an era where quick software delivery is important..
According to Data Bridge market research, the DevSecOps movement has quickly gained momentum, with the global market projected to hit $23.16 billion by 2029, hilighting its rising significance in modern software development.
Modern DevSecOps approaches recognize that security cannot be an afterthought; it must be embedded throughout the development process. Integrating vulnerability management into the DevSecOps pipeline involves incorporating security checks, automated testing, and continuous assessments directly into the Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC).
This proactive approach allows organizations to identify and remediate vulnerabilities early, reducing risk and preventing costly security issues later. Beyond strengthening security, it encourages closer collaboration between development and security teams, streamlines workflows, and ensures that speed does not come at the expense of protection.
6. Cloud Integration
As more companies migrate their operations to the cloud, there’s an increased focus on cloud security. This trend stems from the recognition that cloud environments introduce unique security challenges.
According to the Google for developers blog, Google Workspace (Google’s integrated cloud‑based productivity and collaboration suite), now has more than 3 billion users and over 8 million paying customers globally, highlighting the scale at which cloud platforms are relied upon.
One of the biggest challenges in cloud security is the provisioning of devices that are not documented in the system, which can result in them not being scanned or protected by defensive measures such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems.
To help address this issue, organizations can:
- Implement automated asset discovery
- Enforce strict onboarding procedures
- Integrate security controls
- Maintain continuous monitoring
- Adopt a zero-trust approach
Companies must adapt their vulnerability‑management strategies to address cloud‑native vulnerabilities and configurations, making cloud security a key part of modern practices
For more on managing these risks, see Rootshell Security’s guide to cloud vulnerability management.
7. Zero-Trust Security Model
The zero-trust security model is moving away from the traditional notion of trusting entities within the corporate network. In this model, no user or system is inherently trusted, and continuous verification of identity and strict access controls are enforced. Implementing a zero-trust framework, guided by standards such as NIST 800-207, helps businesses reduce the risk of insider threats, limit the impact of external attacks, and strengthen their overall security posture.
8. Threat Hunting and Proactive Cybersecurity
In 2025, organisations are shifting from reactive defence to proactive cybersecurity, integrating vulnerability management into a broader strategy of threat anticipation and prevention. According to Statista,: by mid‑2025, more than 52,000 new vulnerabilities had been disclosed. This increase in threats emphasise why proactive cybersecurity is no longer optional.
The practice of threat hunting is gaining prominence as organizations recognize the need for proactive cybersecurity measures. Threat hunters actively seek signs of malicious activity within their network and systems. This approach enables security teams to identify and neutralize threats before they escalate into major incidents.
9. Expanding Scope of Vulnerabilities
These days the scope of vulnerabilities extends beyond traditional software and network vulnerabilities. Organizations must now consider vulnerabilities in a broad range of areas, including IoT devices, cloud services, and supply chain vulnerabilities.
2025 is on track to set an all-time high for reported vulnerabilities, with data from deepstrike reporting that there were over 21,000 CVEs disclosed in the first half of the year, averaging around 133 new flaws every day. This rise highlights the need for an adaptive vulnerability management approach that addresses all potential attack vectors and protects against threats.
10. Collaboration and Information Sharing
Collaboration through platforms like Information Sharing and Analysis Centers (ISACs) has become increasingly important. Sharing threat intelligence and best practices among organizations can improve collective cybersecurity.
Recent research highlights both the importance and underutilisation of such collaboration. According to a 2024 Cyware survey, 91% of cybersecurity professionals believe information sharing is crucial to improving defence, yet over half (53%) of organisations do not currently participate in an ISAC. This highlights a clear opportunity for organisations to adopt structured, transparent information-sharing practices that allows for earlier vulnerability detection.
11. Managed Vulnerability Management Services
Managed vulnerability management services provide expert assistance in identifying, prioritizing, and mitigating vulnerabilities, catering to organizations of all sizes. Managed vulnerability management services allow organizations to strengthen their security without requiring extensive internal resources.
12. User Awareness and Training
While technology is an important component of vulnerability management, user awareness and training are equally important. Educating employees about vulnerability management best practices is essential to prevent human errors that often lead to data breaches.
The best programs focus on practical, scenario-based training, covering topics such as recognizing phishing attempts, safe use of credentials, and secure handling of sensitive data. Regular security updates into organizational culture means businesses can reduce the risk of vulnerabilities being exploited due to human oversight.
This trend reflects a broader shift toward human-centric cybersecurity, where users are not just participants but active contributors to the overall security posture. organizations that prioritize training see measurable benefits, including fewer incidents caused by user mistakes, faster reporting of suspicious activity, and stronger compliance with security policies.
13. Standards and Compliance
Meeting industry standards and compliance requirements, such as DORA and the EU’s updated NIS2 directive, is fundamental in vulnerability management. These frameworks create regulatory pressure on organizations to close the cybersecurity governance gap and demonstrate a commitment to security, helping to protect against data breaches. Rootshell Security assists organizations in aligning with relevant standards and compliance frameworks, ensuring that security measures are in line with industry standards.
Modern vulnerability management integrates compliance requirements directly into automated security workflows, maintaining a continuous and proactive compliance posture.
We’ll admit…it’s not really a trend for 2025 but more of a best practice.
14. Cyber Insurance
Amid rising cyber threats, cyber insurance has become an important risk management tool. It offers financial protection in the event of a data breach, helping organizations recover and rebuild after a security incident.
Recognizing the growing risks faced by smaller organizations, the British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA), in collaboration with CFC has published a new guide to help insurance intermediaries and small businesses understand current cyber risks and the protection offered by cyber insurance. In their guide, they highlight that around 96% of all cyberattacks target SMEs, emphasizing the urgent need for cyber insurance.
15. Conduct Regular Security Audits
Regular security audits are an important component of effective vulnerability management. They provide a systematic evaluation of an organization’s IT environment, helping to identify weaknesses in networks, applications, cloud infrastructure, and endpoints before they can be exploited by attackers.
Performing audits on a consistent schedule means that organizations can find misconfigurations, unpatched systems, and gaps in policies or procedures.
Key areas covered in security audits include:
- Configuration reviews: Ensuring systems and applications are securely configured.
- Patch management: Verifying that all software and firmware are up to date.
- Access controls: Checking permissions and enforcing the principle of least privilege.
- Policy and procedure assessment: Making sure security policies are followed organization-wide.
Integrating audit findings into the broader vulnerability management strategy allows organizations to prioritise and fix risks efficiently, supporting a resilient and proactive security environment.
The Future Of Vulnerability Assessment Tools
The future of vulnerability assessment tools lies in intelligent, automated, and integrated solutions that can keep pace with increasingly complex IT environments. Using AI and machine learning, these tools will not only find vulnerabilities but also predict potential risks and prioritize remediation based on business impact. Integration with cloud, hybrid, and DevSecOps environments also allows for continuous, real-time security monitoring. With better risk-based insights and compliance reporting, vulnerability assessment tools will evolve from reactive scanners into proactive platforms that help organizations anticipate and combat threats before they can be exploited.
Future Proof Protection with Rootshell Security
Rootshell Security are leaders in vulnerability management, offering solutions that help organizations tackle complex security challenges. Our Rootshell platform equips businesses with advanced vulnerability management capabilities.With a relentless focus on innovation, our platform leverages AI and ML to deliver unparalleled accuracy in vulnerability detection and prioritization. It integrates seamlessly with your existing systems, ensuring a smooth and efficient workflow.
Key Features of the Rootshell Platform
- AI-Driven Vulnerability Detection: Quickly and accurately identify vulnerabilities.
- Risk-Based Prioritization: Address the most important vulnerabilities first.
- Continuous Monitoring: Get real-time insights into your security posture,
- DevOps Integration: Seamlessly embed security into your development pipeline.
- User-Friendly Interface: Intuitive dashboards and automation simplify vulnerability management and reduce manual effort.
In conclusion, as vulnerability management continues to evolve, staying informed about these trends and following best practices is essential for protecting your organization from data breaches and cyber threats.
Contact Rootshell Security today to learn more about our vulnerability management solutions and future-proof your organization against emerging threats.
