POL-4: Vulnerability Management Policy

Purpose

This policy defines the process for identifying, assessing, and remediating vulnerabilities in LNC Nexus systems and applications. It ensures that security weaknesses are addressed promptly to protect legal-medical knowledge and analysis from exploitation.

Scope

This policy applies to all LNC Nexus hosted, private, and self-managed deployments. It covers software, hardware, and configuration vulnerabilities.

Policy Statements

Vulnerabilities shall be identified through regular scanning and assessment. Critical vulnerabilities must be remediated within defined timeframes. In self-managed deployments, customers are responsible for applying patches; LNC Nexus provides updates but not enforcement. Vulnerabilities affecting regulated data handling require immediate attention. No known critical vulnerability shall remain unaddressed without explicit risk acceptance.

Roles and Responsibilities

The Security Team identifies and assesses vulnerabilities. System administrators implement remediation measures. Users report suspected vulnerabilities. The Change Advisory Board reviews remediation plans for impact.

Evidence and Review

Vulnerability scan results, remediation logs, and risk acceptance records serve as evidence of compliance. The Security Team conducts periodic reviews of vulnerability management practices and investigates anomalies. Deployment-specific configurations are treated as controlled material.

Exceptions

Exceptions to this policy require written approval from the Security & Compliance owner or delegated risk owner and must be documented with a risk acceptance statement. Exceptions are valid only for a defined period and must be re-evaluated before expiration.

Enforcement

Violations of this policy may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination, and legal prosecution where applicable. Systems may be isolated immediately upon detection of a critical unaddressed vulnerability.

Related Policies

POL-3 (Change Management Policy), POL-16 (Risk Management Policy), POL-17 (Incident Response Policy).

Revision History