Workflow for automated vulnerability scanning and patch management

**Purpose**

1.1. Automate end-to-end vulnerability scanning across network endpoints, servers, and applications, ensuring compliance with Department of Defense (DoD) security standards.
1.2. Schedule, execute, and log vulnerability scans using multiple scan engines.
1.3. Aggregate scan results, trigger patch deployment workflows, and generate compliance reports.
1.4. Integrate real-time alerts and audit trails to Command Cyber Readiness Inspections (CCRIs) and ATO processes.
1.5. Automatically update asset inventory and ticketing systems upon vulnerability or patch activity.

**Trigger Conditions**

2.1. Scheduled intervals (e.g., nightly, weekly, or per DoD mandate).
2.2. Detection of new devices or applications on network.
2.3. Receipt of new CVE advisories or vendor security bulletins.
2.4. Manual trigger by cyber defense operators post-incident.
2.5. Response to failed compliance checks or unauthorized configuration changes.

**Platform Variants**

3.1. **Tenable.io**
- Feature: Start Scan (API: POST /scans/{scan_id}/launch); configure site credentials and scan templates.

3.2. **Rapid7 InsightVM**
- Feature: Trigger Vulnerability Scan (API: POST /api/3/sites/{id}/scans); configure asset groups, schedule, and report aggregation.

3.3. **Qualys Cloud Platform**
- Feature: Launch Scan (API: POST /api/2.0/fo/scan/); set scan options, asset tags, and notification hooks.

3.4. **Microsoft Defender for Endpoint**
- Feature: Run Assessment Scan (API: POST /security/runAssessment); configure scan policies for managed devices.

3.5. **Ivanti Patch for Windows**
- Feature: Deploy Patch (API: POST /Patch/Deploy); set deployment template, targeting specific device groups.

3.6. **ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus**
- Feature: Automate Patch Deployment (API: /api/1.3/patches/install); assign patch policy to device scope.

3.7. **ServiceNow SecOps**
- Feature: Auto-Create Vulnerability Ticket (Flow: On Vulnerability Detected); set auto-remediation triggers and notifications.

3.8. **Jira Service Management**
- Feature: Auto-Issue Creation (REST API: POST /rest/api/3/issue); field mappings direct from CVE findings.

3.9. **Slack**
- Feature: Alert Channel Messaging (API: chat.postMessage); configure for scan results/action alerts to cyber defense teams.

3.10. **Splunk**
- Feature: Log Event Index (API: POST /services/collector/event); track scan initiations, completions, and patch workflows.

3.11. **AWS Systems Manager (SSM)**
- Feature: Run Patch Scan & Install (SSM Documents/AWS-RunPatchBaseline); automate by EC2 resource tags.

3.12. **VMware vRealize Automation**
- Feature: Patch Baseline Enforcement (API: POST /vrealize/patch/action); orchestrate across virtual workloads.

3.13. **Okta Workflows**
- Feature: Event-Driven Actions (Flow: On Login/Device Change); trigger security scans when new users/devices are enrolled.

3.14. **Google Chronicle Security**
- Feature: Ingest Scan Events (API: /v1/ingest); trigger threat hunting or automated playbooks upon detection.

3.15. **IBM QRadar SOAR**
- Feature: Automatic Case Creation (REST API: POST /api/incidents); parse raw scan result data into workflow cases.

3.16. **Fortinet FortiSOAR**
- Feature: Automated Patch Workflow (Playbook: PatchAndScan); integrate findings with CMDB and audit logs.

3.17. **Cisco SecureX**
- Feature: Orchestrated Response (Workflow: Trigger on scan or CVE detection); perform pre-authorized patch actions.

3.18. **Bitwarden**
- Feature: Secure Credential Retrieval (API: /organization/collections/access); auto-fetch for scan/patch.

3.19. **PagerDuty**
- Feature: Incident Notification (API: POST /incidents); configure for high/critical vulnerability findings.

3.20. **Atlassian Confluence**
- Feature: Publish Compliance Report (API: POST /wiki/rest/api/content); auto-document scan and patch cycles.

3.21. **CrowdStrike Falcon**
- Feature: Scan Posture Verification (API: POST /spotlight/queries/vulnerabilities); trigger scans and fetch results for endpoint security compliance.

**Benefits**

4.1. Prevents threat propagation via rapid, consistent vulnerability detection/remediation.
4.2. Improves compliance with DoD/Air Force cybersecurity mandates.
4.3. Reduces mean time to patch high-risk findings for mission-critical systems.
4.4. Automates reporting for CCRI and leadership audit requirements.
4.5. Minimizes human error and intervention, ensuring faster security posture improvements.