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THE VULNERABILITIES ARE PUBLIC. THE RISK IS WHETHER YOU ACT ON THEM
Understanding CVEs: Why common vulnerabilities matter for small businesses
In this article you will learn what Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs) are, why they matter for small businesses, and how to build a strong vulnerability management and cybersecurity strategy to stay protected.
This article is critical for understanding why vulnerabilities need to be identified and remediated for any business, size does not matter!
Every week, new vulnerabilities are discovered that hackers rush to exploit, and many of them are cataloged as Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs). Understanding how these weaknesses are tracked and managed can help small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) stay ahead of potential attacks and strengthen their overall security posture.
What Are CVEs?
Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs) represent a standardized catalog of publicly known cybersecurity threats. Each CVE is assigned a unique identifier that allows organizations to track and manage vulnerabilities across systems and platforms. This catalog serves as a vital resource for cybersecurity professionals and organizations alike, highlighting potential weaknesses that malicious actors could exploit.
CVE entries are intentionally brief. They provide a common identifier and concise description but do not include in-depth technical data, risk ratings, or remediation steps. For that, organizations rely on additional sources such as the U.S. National Vulnerability Database (NVD), which enriches CVE entries with technical details, impact assessments, and links to official patches.
Why CVEs Matter for SMBs
Cybercriminals don’t discriminate by size. In fact, SMBs are often seen as easier targets due to limited resources and smaller security teams. The financial impact of a cyberattack can be devastating, from breach costs and downtime to reputational damage.
By understanding and monitoring CVEs, SMBs can identify which vulnerabilities affect their systems and take proactive steps to patch or mitigate them before they’re exploited.
Vulnerability Management
Effective vulnerability management is a continuous process of discovering, prioritizing, and remediating weaknesses. Automated scanners can help identify vulnerabilities, while frameworks like CVSS (Common Vulnerability Scoring System) and resources such as MITRE’s CVE list and the NVD provide critical context for prioritization.
Businesses should track key performance metrics such as:
Mean Time to Detect (MTTD): how quickly issues are found
Mean Time to Respond (MTTR): how fast they’re fixed
Responses can include:
Remediation: Fully patching or removing the vulnerability
Mitigation: Reducing the risk through compensating controls
Acceptance: Acknowledging and monitoring low-risk findings
Cybersecurity Basics and Tools
Foundational controls are the first step in reducing vulnerability risk. SMBs should implement:
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for all critical accounts (at a minimum)
Centralized logging and monitoring for visibility and early detection
Regular backups to ensure data recovery
Layered security tools such as Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR), Next-Generation Firewalls (NGFWs), DNS protection, and email filtering add defense-in-depth and help close gaps that CVEs could expose.
Cyber Insurance
Cyber insurance adds another line of defense, helping businesses recover from breaches, ransomware, and other incidents. Many SMBs underestimate their risk, assuming they’re “too small” to be targeted, which is a costly misconception.
When evaluating policies, review coverage exclusions, technical requirements, and incident response expectations to ensure alignment with your business’s unique risk profile.
Please refer to our Cyber Insurance article for a more detailed breakdown of cybersecurity insurance.
Contingency Planning
Strong cybersecurity also means being ready when vulnerabilities are discovered. A well-structured contingency plan ensures quick, coordinated responses that limit damage and downtime.
SMBs should:
Diversify vulnerability intelligence sources beyond just CVEs
Regularly review and strengthen vulnerability management practices
Maintain clear escalation and recovery procedures
Positioning and Communication
Managing vulnerabilities isn’t just an IT task, it’s a business responsibility. Clear communication with internal stakeholders, leadership, and risk managers ensures everyone understands the risks and actions being taken.
Security awareness training remains essential. Educating employees about phishing, social engineering, and patch management transforms your team into your strongest line of defense.
How Threat Archer Can Help
As a veteran-owned cybersecurity firm, Threat Archer Cybersecurity Solutions LLC is dedicated to helping small and medium-sized businesses strengthen their security posture. We understand the unique challenges SMBs face in navigating CVEs and evolving cyber threats.
Partner with Threat Archer to gain expert support in:
Vulnerability and risk assessments
CVE-driven remediation planning
Security awareness and training programs
Policy and compliance alignment
Together, we’ll build a proactive, resilient defense against modern cyberattacks.
Cybersecurity isn’t just about reacting; it’s about anticipating. By understanding and leveraging CVEs, your business can make informed decisions, reduce risk, and stay one step ahead of the threat.
By: Troy Bowman, Cybersecurity Consultant / Engineer
Published by: Threat Archer Cybersecurity Solutions LLC
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