Have you implemented policies and procedures that guide how security risks are mitigated until patches can be applied?

This question is asking whether your organization has formal, documented procedures for managing security risks during the period between when a vulnerability is discovered and when it can be patched. In an ideal world, all vulnerabilities would be patched immediately upon discovery. However, in reality, there are often delays between vulnerability identification and patch deployment due to testing requirements, maintenance windows, vendor patch availability, or operational constraints. During this gap period, systems remain vulnerable, creating security risks. The question seeks to understand if you have a systematic approach to mitigate these interim risks. Such policies might include implementing temporary workarounds, adding additional monitoring, restricting access, or applying compensating controls until the permanent fix (patch) can be deployed. This is being asked in a security assessment because unpatched vulnerabilities represent a significant attack vector. Organizations with mature security practices don't just rely on patching alone but have a comprehensive vulnerability management program that includes interim risk mitigation strategies. This demonstrates a proactive approach to security rather than a purely reactive one. To best answer this question, you should describe your formal policies for vulnerability management, specifically highlighting the interim risk mitigation procedures. Include details about how risks are assessed, who is responsible for implementing mitigations, what types of mitigations are typically employed, and how these mitigations are tracked and verified. If possible, reference specific policy documents and provide examples of how these procedures have been applied in practice.