<p class="text-body font-regular leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]" dir="ltr">Cybersecurity threats are evolving, targeting organizations and individuals alike. Conducting a thorough vulnerability assessment is a crucial step in safeguarding systems against potential attacks. But how do you begin this process, and why are CVE (Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures) and CVSS (Common Vulnerability Scoring System) so vital? This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to perform a basic vulnerability assessment effectively.</p>

<h2 class="font-bold text-h3 leading-[40px] pt-[21px] pb-[2px] [&amp;_a]:underline-offset-[6px] [&amp;_.underline]:underline-offset-[6px]" dir="ltr">What is a Vulnerability Assessment?</h2>
<p class="text-body font-regular leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]" dir="ltr">A <b><strong class="font-bold">vulnerability assessment</strong></b> is the process of identifying, evaluating, and prioritizing vulnerabilities in systems, networks, and applications. The goal is to detect weaknesses before bad actors can exploit them. Whether you're managing a corporate IT infrastructure or securing your home computer, vulnerability assessments are vital for proactively managing risks.</p>

<h3 class="font-bold text-h4 leading-[30px] pt-[15px] pb-[2px] [&amp;_a]:underline-offset-[6px] [&amp;_.underline]:underline-offset-[6px]" dir="ltr">Why is Vulnerability Assessment Important?</h3>
<ul class="pt-[9px] pb-[2px] pl-[24px] list-disc [&amp;_ul]:pt-[5px] pt-[5px]">
 	<li class="text-body font-regular leading-[24px] my-[5px] [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pb-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pb-0" value="1"><b><strong class="font-bold">Preempt Threats</strong></b>: Identifying vulnerabilities before they can be exploited can save you from costly breaches.</li>
 	<li class="text-body font-regular leading-[24px] my-[5px] [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pb-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pb-0" value="2"><b><strong class="font-bold">Build a Stronger Security Posture</strong></b>: It helps strengthen your defenses and stay compliant with regulatory standards.</li>
 	<li class="text-body font-regular leading-[24px] my-[5px] [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pb-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pb-0" value="3"><b><strong class="font-bold">Prioritize Risks</strong></b>: Not all vulnerabilities are equal—this process helps you focus on those that pose the greatest danger.</li>
</ul>
<h2 class="font-bold text-h3 leading-[40px] pt-[21px] pb-[2px] [&amp;_a]:underline-offset-[6px] [&amp;_.underline]:underline-offset-[6px]" dir="ltr">Understanding Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE)</h2>
<p class="text-body font-regular leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]" dir="ltr"><b><strong class="font-bold">CVE</strong></b>, or Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures, is a standardized list of publicly known software vulnerabilities. Each CVE has a unique identifier (e.g., CVE-2024-12345), making it easier for security professionals to share and act on information about specific threats.</p>

<h3 class="font-bold text-h4 leading-[30px] pt-[15px] pb-[2px] [&amp;_a]:underline-offset-[6px] [&amp;_.underline]:underline-offset-[6px]" dir="ltr">Why Does CVE Matter?</h3>
<ul class="pt-[9px] pb-[2px] pl-[24px] list-disc [&amp;_ul]:pt-[5px] pt-[5px]">
 	<li class="text-body font-regular leading-[24px] my-[5px] [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pb-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pb-0" value="1"><b><strong class="font-bold">Standardized References</strong></b>: CVE makes it possible for different organizations, tools, and experts to communicate effectively about vulnerabilities.</li>
 	<li class="text-body font-regular leading-[24px] my-[5px] [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pb-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pb-0" value="2"><b><strong class="font-bold">Quick Identification</strong></b>: Knowing the CVE number of a vulnerability helps locate detailed information and actionable fixes.</li>
 	<li class="text-body font-regular leading-[24px] my-[5px] [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pb-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pb-0" value="3"><b><strong class="font-bold">Global Relevance</strong></b>: Security tools like Nessus and OpenVAS often reference CVEs to explain their findings.</li>
</ul>
<h2 class="font-bold text-h3 leading-[40px] pt-[21px] pb-[2px] [&amp;_a]:underline-offset-[6px] [&amp;_.underline]:underline-offset-[6px]" dir="ltr">Introduction to the Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS)</h2>
<p class="text-body font-regular leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]" dir="ltr">While CVE identifies vulnerabilities, the <b><strong class="font-bold">Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS)</strong></b> assigns them a severity score on a scale of 0 to 10. This score helps prioritize which vulnerabilities to address first.</p>

<h3 class="font-bold text-h4 leading-[30px] pt-[15px] pb-[2px] [&amp;_a]:underline-offset-[6px] [&amp;_.underline]:underline-offset-[6px]" dir="ltr">How Does CVSS Work?</h3>
<p class="text-body font-regular leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]" dir="ltr">CVSS calculates a vulnerability's severity based on three metrics:</p>

<ol class="pt-[9px] pb-[2px] pl-[24px] [&amp;_ol]:pt-[5px] list-decimal">
 	<li class="text-body font-regular leading-[24px] my-[5px] [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pb-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pb-0" value="1"><b><strong class="font-bold">Base</strong></b> (exploitability and impact)</li>
 	<li class="text-body font-regular leading-[24px] my-[5px] [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pb-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pb-0" value="2"><b><strong class="font-bold">Temporal</strong></b> (how mitigations or fixes reduce risk over time)</li>
 	<li class="text-body font-regular leading-[24px] my-[5px] [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pb-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pb-0" value="3"><b><strong class="font-bold">Environmental</strong></b> (the specific impact on your environment)</li>
</ol>
<p class="text-body font-regular leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]" dir="ltr"><b><strong class="font-bold">Severity Levels:</strong></b></p>

<ul class="pt-[9px] pb-[2px] pl-[24px] list-disc [&amp;_ul]:pt-[5px] pt-[5px]">
 	<li class="text-body font-regular leading-[24px] my-[5px] [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pb-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pb-0" value="1">0.0–3.9 → Low</li>
 	<li class="text-body font-regular leading-[24px] my-[5px] [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pb-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pb-0" value="2">4.0–6.9 → Medium</li>
 	<li class="text-body font-regular leading-[24px] my-[5px] [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pb-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pb-0" value="3">7.0–8.9 → High</li>
 	<li class="text-body font-regular leading-[24px] my-[5px] [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pb-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pb-0" value="4">9.0–10.0 → Critical</li>
</ul>
<p class="text-body font-regular leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]" dir="ltr">Understanding CVSS allows IT professionals to prioritize vulnerabilities that pose the most significant risks.</p>

<h2 class="font-bold text-h3 leading-[40px] pt-[21px] pb-[2px] [&amp;_a]:underline-offset-[6px] [&amp;_.underline]:underline-offset-[6px]" dir="ltr">Tools for Performing a Vulnerability Assessment</h2>
<p class="text-body font-regular leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]" dir="ltr">There are many tools available for vulnerability scanning. Here, we’ll focus on <b><strong class="font-bold">Nessus</strong></b> and <b><strong class="font-bold">OpenVAS</strong></b>, two of the most popular options.</p>

<h3 class="font-bold text-h4 leading-[30px] pt-[15px] pb-[2px] [&amp;_a]:underline-offset-[6px] [&amp;_.underline]:underline-offset-[6px]" dir="ltr">1. Nessus</h3>
<ul class="pt-[9px] pb-[2px] pl-[24px] list-disc [&amp;_ul]:pt-[5px] pt-[5px]">
 	<li class="text-body font-regular leading-[24px] my-[5px] [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pb-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pb-0" value="1"><b><strong class="font-bold">Key Features</strong></b>:</li>
 	<li class="text-body font-regular leading-[24px] my-[5px] [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pb-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pb-0" value="2">Comprehensive plugin library</li>
 	<li class="text-body font-regular leading-[24px] my-[5px] [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pb-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pb-0" value="3">Detailed reporting</li>
 	<li class="text-body font-regular leading-[24px] my-[5px] [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pb-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pb-0" value="4">Integration with CVE and CVSS databases</li>
 	<li class="text-body font-regular leading-[24px] my-[5px] [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pb-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pb-0" value="5"><b><strong class="font-bold">How to Use</strong></b>:</li>
 	<li class="text-body font-regular leading-[24px] my-[5px] [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pb-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pb-0" value="6">Download and install the software.</li>
 	<li class="text-body font-regular leading-[24px] my-[5px] [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pb-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pb-0" value="7">Configure scan settings (e.g., target IPs or URLs).</li>
 	<li class="text-body font-regular leading-[24px] my-[5px] [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pb-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pb-0" value="8">Analyze the results and focus on vulnerabilities with higher CVSS scores.</li>
</ul>
<h3 class="font-bold text-h4 leading-[30px] pt-[15px] pb-[2px] [&amp;_a]:underline-offset-[6px] [&amp;_.underline]:underline-offset-[6px]" dir="ltr">2. OpenVAS (Open Vulnerability Assessment Scanner)</h3>
<ul class="pt-[9px] pb-[2px] pl-[24px] list-disc [&amp;_ul]:pt-[5px] pt-[5px]">
 	<li class="text-body font-regular leading-[24px] my-[5px] [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pb-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pb-0" value="1"><b><strong class="font-bold">Key Features</strong></b>:</li>
 	<li class="text-body font-regular leading-[24px] my-[5px] [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pb-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pb-0" value="2">Open-source platform</li>
 	<li class="text-body font-regular leading-[24px] my-[5px] [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pb-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pb-0" value="3">Regular updates with new vulnerability definitions</li>
 	<li class="text-body font-regular leading-[24px] my-[5px] [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pb-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pb-0" value="4">Support for scanning networks, services, and applications</li>
 	<li class="text-body font-regular leading-[24px] my-[5px] [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pb-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pb-0" value="5"><b><strong class="font-bold">How to Use</strong></b>:</li>
 	<li class="text-body font-regular leading-[24px] my-[5px] [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pb-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pb-0" value="6">Set up OpenVAS on a server or virtual machine.</li>
 	<li class="text-body font-regular leading-[24px] my-[5px] [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pb-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pb-0" value="7">Define the scope of the scan and start scanning.</li>
 	<li class="text-body font-regular leading-[24px] my-[5px] [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pb-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pb-0" value="8">Review the detailed output and cross-reference CVEs.</li>
</ul>
<p class="text-body font-regular leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]" dir="ltr">Both tools are invaluable for discovering potential weaknesses in your network or application environment.</p>

<h2 class="font-bold text-h3 leading-[40px] pt-[21px] pb-[2px] [&amp;_a]:underline-offset-[6px] [&amp;_.underline]:underline-offset-[6px]" dir="ltr">Step-by-Step Guide to Conducting a Vulnerability Assessment</h2>
<p class="text-body font-regular leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]" dir="ltr">Here’s how to perform a basic assessment from start to finish:</p>

<h3 class="font-bold text-h4 leading-[30px] pt-[15px] pb-[2px] [&amp;_a]:underline-offset-[6px] [&amp;_.underline]:underline-offset-[6px]" dir="ltr">Step 1: Define the Scope</h3>
<p class="text-body font-regular leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]" dir="ltr">Identify the systems, networks, or applications you want to scan. Make sure you have proper permission to scan the target environment.</p>

<h3 class="font-bold text-h4 leading-[30px] pt-[15px] pb-[2px] [&amp;_a]:underline-offset-[6px] [&amp;_.underline]:underline-offset-[6px]" dir="ltr">Step 2: Choose Your Tool</h3>
<p class="text-body font-regular leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]" dir="ltr">Install and configure a vulnerability scanner like Nessus or OpenVAS based on the complexity of your system.</p>

<h3 class="font-bold text-h4 leading-[30px] pt-[15px] pb-[2px] [&amp;_a]:underline-offset-[6px] [&amp;_.underline]:underline-offset-[6px]" dir="ltr">Step 3: Run the Scan</h3>
<p class="text-body font-regular leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]" dir="ltr">Set up your scanner, inputting the target assets (e.g., IP ranges or URLs). Start the scan to identify vulnerabilities.</p>

<h3 class="font-bold text-h4 leading-[30px] pt-[15px] pb-[2px] [&amp;_a]:underline-offset-[6px] [&amp;_.underline]:underline-offset-[6px]" dir="ltr">Step 4: Analyze the Results</h3>
<p class="text-body font-regular leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]" dir="ltr">Review the scan report and take note of vulnerabilities with high and critical CVSS scores. Identify the associated CVEs for each.</p>

<h3 class="font-bold text-h4 leading-[30px] pt-[15px] pb-[2px] [&amp;_a]:underline-offset-[6px] [&amp;_.underline]:underline-offset-[6px]" dir="ltr">Step 5: Take Action</h3>
<p class="text-body font-regular leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]" dir="ltr">Develop a plan to address the vulnerabilities. Patch outdated software, harden misconfigured systems, or implement workarounds where no direct fix is available.</p>

<h3 class="font-bold text-h4 leading-[30px] pt-[15px] pb-[2px] [&amp;_a]:underline-offset-[6px] [&amp;_.underline]:underline-offset-[6px]" dir="ltr">Step 6: Validate the Fixes</h3>
<p class="text-body font-regular leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]" dir="ltr">After addressing vulnerabilities, rerun the scan to confirm that issues have been resolved.</p>

<h2 class="font-bold text-h3 leading-[40px] pt-[21px] pb-[2px] [&amp;_a]:underline-offset-[6px] [&amp;_.underline]:underline-offset-[6px]" dir="ltr">Best Practices for Vulnerability Management</h2>
<h3 class="font-bold text-h4 leading-[30px] pt-[15px] pb-[2px] [&amp;_a]:underline-offset-[6px] [&amp;_.underline]:underline-offset-[6px]" dir="ltr">1. Prioritize with CVSS</h3>
<p class="text-body font-regular leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]" dir="ltr">Focus first on vulnerabilities with critical and high CVSS scores for quick mitigation.</p>

<h3 class="font-bold text-h4 leading-[30px] pt-[15px] pb-[2px] [&amp;_a]:underline-offset-[6px] [&amp;_.underline]:underline-offset-[6px]" dir="ltr">2. Integrate with Patch Management</h3>
<p class="text-body font-regular leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]" dir="ltr">Coordinate your vulnerability assessments with your patch management processes to ensure timely remediation of weaknesses.</p>

<h3 class="font-bold text-h4 leading-[30px] pt-[15px] pb-[2px] [&amp;_a]:underline-offset-[6px] [&amp;_.underline]:underline-offset-[6px]" dir="ltr">3. Regular Scanning</h3>
<p class="text-body font-regular leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]" dir="ltr">Threat landscapes evolve quickly. Schedule regular vulnerability scans to stay ahead.</p>

<h3 class="font-bold text-h4 leading-[30px] pt-[15px] pb-[2px] [&amp;_a]:underline-offset-[6px] [&amp;_.underline]:underline-offset-[6px]" dir="ltr">4. Monitor and Stay Updated</h3>
<p class="text-body font-regular leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]" dir="ltr">Register for security update newsletters, like NVD (National Vulnerability Database), to track new CVEs.</p>

<h2 class="font-bold text-h3 leading-[40px] pt-[21px] pb-[2px] [&amp;_a]:underline-offset-[6px] [&amp;_.underline]:underline-offset-[6px]" dir="ltr">Staying Updated on the Latest Vulnerabilities</h2>
<p class="text-body font-regular leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]" dir="ltr">Cybersecurity is a constantly evolving field, and staying informed about emerging threats is critical. Here's how to stay up to date.</p>

<ul class="pt-[9px] pb-[2px] pl-[24px] list-disc [&amp;_ul]:pt-[5px] pt-[5px]">
 	<li class="text-body font-regular leading-[24px] my-[5px] [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pb-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pb-0" value="1"><b><strong class="font-bold">Subscribe to Vulnerability Databases</strong></b>:</li>
 	<li class="text-body font-regular leading-[24px] my-[5px] [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pb-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pb-0" value="2">National Vulnerability Database (NVD)</li>
 	<li class="text-body font-regular leading-[24px] my-[5px] [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pb-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pb-0" value="3">Mitre CVE Database</li>
 	<li class="text-body font-regular leading-[24px] my-[5px] [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pb-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pb-0" value="4"><b><strong class="font-bold">Use RSS Feeds and Alerts</strong></b>:</li>
 	<li class="text-body font-regular leading-[24px] my-[5px] [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pb-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pb-0" value="5">Set up alerts for new CVEs or significant updates affecting your technology stack.</li>
 	<li class="text-body font-regular leading-[24px] my-[5px] [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pb-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pb-0" value="6"><b><strong class="font-bold">Follow Industry Blogs and News</strong></b>:</li>
 	<li class="text-body font-regular leading-[24px] my-[5px] [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pb-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pb-0" value="7">Cybersecurity blogs, newsletters, and forums provide valuable commentary about emerging threats.</li>
 	<li class="text-body font-regular leading-[24px] my-[5px] [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pb-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pb-0" value="8"><b><strong class="font-bold">Use Social Media Communities</strong></b>:</li>
 	<li class="text-body font-regular leading-[24px] my-[5px] [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pb-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pb-0" value="9">Joining LinkedIn and Twitter groups for cybersecurity helps you learn from your peers.</li>
</ul>
<h2 class="font-bold text-h3 leading-[40px] pt-[21px] pb-[2px] [&amp;_a]:underline-offset-[6px] [&amp;_.underline]:underline-offset-[6px]" dir="ltr">Final Thoughts</h2>
<p class="text-body font-regular leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]" dir="ltr">Performing a vulnerability assessment is the foundation of a strong cybersecurity strategy. With tools like Nessus and OpenVAS, and a clear understanding of CVE and CVSS ratings, addressing critical vulnerabilities becomes much more manageable.</p>
<p class="text-body font-regular leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]" dir="ltr">Take the first step and start implementing vulnerability assessments today. Remember, staying informed and proactive is your best line of defense against cyber threats. Stay protected, stay prepared!</p>