Continuous Vulnerability Monitoring: Key Metrics to Track

Keeping software secure is harder than ever. In 2024, nearly 40,000 vulnerabilities were reported - a 39% jump from the previous year. Attackers now exploit these flaws in just five days, down from 32 days in 2023. This makes continuous vulnerability monitoring (CVM) a critical part of modern software development.

CVM ensures real-time tracking of vulnerabilities throughout CI/CD pipelines, reducing risks, improving response times, and automating compliance with security standards. Here’s what you need to know:

• Why CVM matters: It identifies vulnerabilities early, cutting costs and risks.
• Key metrics to track:
  • Vulnerability Detection Rate: How well tools identify issues.
  • Mean Time to Remediate (MTTR): Time from detection to resolution.
  • Scan Coverage: Percentage of assets assessed.
  • Open High-Risk Vulnerabilities: Unresolved critical issues.
  • Pipeline Compliance: Adherence to security policies.

Organisations that prioritise these metrics reduce breach risks, save money, and improve development speed. Automating scans, standardising reporting, and integrating tools into workflows are essential steps. With attackers moving faster than ever, CVM is no longer optional - it’s a necessity for secure, efficient pipelines.

Continuous Vulnerability Scanning demonstration with dependency scanning

Key Metrics for Tracking Vulnerabilities in CI/CD Pipelines

Monitoring vulnerabilities effectively in CI/CD pipelines depends on measurable signals that help organisations understand how well they detect, prioritise, and resolve security risks. These metrics also shed light on areas of friction, failures, and opportunities for improvement within the pipeline [2][3]. By focusing on continuous monitoring, organisations can strengthen pipeline security through these critical metrics.

Vulnerability Detection Rate

This metric evaluates how well your security tools identify vulnerabilities compared to the total number of issues present in your systems [4]. To establish a solid baseline, organisations should combine automated scans with periodic penetration testing. A multi-layered scanning approach works best: start with lightweight scans early in the development process, then introduce more in-depth assessments as the code advances through the pipeline. For instance:

• Schedule SAST and secrets scanning for every commit.
• Conduct full dependency analysis during daily builds.
• Perform comprehensive DAST scanning before production deployment [1].

The State of Code Security Report 2025 by Wiz highlights a concerning statistic: 35% of enterprises use self-hosted runners with weak security practices, increasing their exposure to lateral movement attacks [4]. After vulnerabilities are detected, swift remediation is crucial, making MTTR a key focus.

Mean Time to Remediate (MTTR)

MTTR tracks the average time it takes to resolve vulnerabilities after they are identified [5]. In CI/CD pipelines, this specifically refers to the time between a failed pipeline execution and the next successful run [6]. Longer MTTR means a prolonged window of risk. Research shows that 70% of critical security incidents take over 12 hours to resolve, while some high-performing teams manage recovery times under 60 minutes [6][7].

To reduce MTTR, organisations can:

• Automate detection and triage using SIEM and SOAR tools.
• Integrate threat intelligence into response workflows.
• Centralise incident management on a unified platform.

Regular tabletop exercises, incident reviews, and predictive maintenance also contribute to faster resolutions [5][6]. Another important metric to consider is scan coverage, which ensures vulnerabilities are assessed across all assets.

Scan Coverage

Scan coverage measures the percentage of assets, code repositories, and infrastructure components subjected to vulnerability assessments during CI/CD processes. Comprehensive coverage requires evaluating multiple areas - code, dependencies, infrastructure, and pipeline stages - and correlating scan results with runtime telemetry for a full security picture [2].

To maximise coverage, vulnerability alerts should be routed directly to development teams through tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, or email, ensuring quick action [4].

Number of Open High-Risk Vulnerabilities

Tracking unresolved high-risk vulnerabilities is essential for understanding your organisation's current security posture. Regularly monitoring these vulnerabilities allows teams to address them before deployment, reducing overall risk [5]. Establishing service-level agreements (SLAs) can help prioritise critical issues and ensure they are resolved promptly.

Pipeline Security Policy Compliance

This metric assesses whether your CI/CD processes adhere to established security standards. It ensures that every pipeline execution aligns with predefined policies and operational benchmarks. Strong CI/CD pipelines not only meet security requirements but also excel in operational metrics like deployment frequency, lead times for changes, MTTR, and low change failure rates [2].

Capturing these metrics in dashboards provides visibility and helps maintain compliance across the pipeline.

Using Data-Driven Insights for Metrics Benchmarking

When it comes to vulnerability metrics, data-driven benchmarks provide organisations with clear targets to aim for, helping to drive ongoing improvements. To set meaningful benchmarks for vulnerability monitoring, it’s crucial to first understand how your organisation stacks up against industry standards. According to the 2025 Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report, there’s been a 34% rise in attackers exploiting vulnerabilities to gain initial access and cause breaches compared to the previous year [11]. This alarming trend highlights the growing importance of benchmarking as a tool for strengthening an organisation’s security.

Industry Benchmarks and Trends

Benchmarks serve as a natural extension of vulnerability metrics, offering defined goals for performance. High-performing teams consistently hit specific targets across critical CI/CD security metrics. For instance, elite organisations deploy code daily or even hourly, all while maintaining robust security throughout their pipelines [2]. The ideal lead time for changes is less than one day from commit to deployment, allowing for rapid implementation of security fixes without sacrificing testing quality.

Top-performing teams also keep their Mean Time to Recovery (MTTR) under an hour [2]. They maintain a change failure rate of less than 15%, ensuring that their security measures don’t compromise deployment reliability [2]. Automated deployment processes can reduce integration and delivery times by as much as 60% [12]. Additionally, organisations using security testing frameworks have observed up to a 30% drop in production bugs, while automated testing can cut bugs by up to 90% [12]. Advanced deployment strategies like blue-green or canary releases reduce outages by up to 40%, and real-time monitoring can shave 30% off response times during security incidents [12].

Using Trend Analysis to Identify Patterns

Trend analysis turns raw data into actionable insights by identifying patterns that single-point measurements might miss. By examining historical data, teams can spot recurring issues and track performance changes over time, making it easier to pinpoint the root causes of bottlenecks and inefficiencies [8].

For example, analysing trends in vulnerability metrics sheds light on pipeline performance over time, revealing actionable patterns [9]. Monitoring defect counts can highlight upward trends, signalling that minor issues could escalate if left unaddressed [10].

You can't manage what you don't measure. - Peter Drucker [10]

Weekly trend reviews can uncover operational problems, such as sudden spikes in detected vulnerabilities or drops in scan coverage. Meanwhile, monthly or quarterly analyses can reveal longer-term shifts in security posture, as well as the impact of significant process or tool changes.

Regularly reviewing CI/CD metrics is essential for uncovering long-term patterns and finding areas for improvement [8]. Organisations that schedule these reviews can evaluate their progress, make targeted adjustments based on trend analysis, and create a cycle of continuous improvement that strengthens their security over time [9]. For example, a rise in deployment frequency coupled with a stable change failure rate suggests strong security integration. On the other hand, increasing lead times alongside a growing vulnerability backlog may indicate resource shortages or process bottlenecks that need attention. This type of analysis sets the stage for standardised metric collection and reporting across CI/CD pipelines.

Best Practices for Metric Collection and Reporting

For continuous vulnerability monitoring to work effectively in CI/CD pipelines, strong methods for collecting and reporting metrics are a must. Without these, organisations risk overlooking critical vulnerabilities or wasting time on false positives, which can slow down development.

Automating Metric Collection in CI/CD Pipelines

Given the fast pace of CI/CD workflows, manual tracking just can’t keep up. Automating security scans is essential to detect vulnerabilities in real time. The aim is to integrate security tools into workflows without disrupting the development process.

Static and Dynamic Analysis Integration is a key step. Tools like SonarQube or Checkmarx can be embedded in pipelines to automatically check code quality, identify vulnerabilities, and ensure compliance after each code commit. Configuring these systems to run scans immediately after a commit helps catch issues early.

Communication Channels play a crucial role in speeding up response times. Alerts about vulnerabilities can be sent directly to teams via platforms like Slack, Microsoft Teams, or email, ensuring quick action.

Advanced Detection Capabilities take this a step further by connecting pipeline logs and events to platforms like Splunk or IBM QRadar. These platforms can identify unusual activity and even trigger automated responses. Machine learning can enhance this process by creating behavioural baselines, helping detect anomalies that might indicate potential security threats.

Runtime Vulnerability Detection adds another layer of security. Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) tools can scan running applications for vulnerabilities, ensuring both code-level and runtime issues are addressed.

Once data is collected automatically, the next step is to ensure that metrics are standardised for consistency across teams and projects.

Standardising Metric Definitions and Formats

Inconsistent definitions can create confusion and make it hard to compare metrics across teams. For example, one team might label an issue as a critical vulnerability, while another might see it as medium risk. Standardised definitions ensure everyone is on the same page.

Machine-Readable Policies help set clear rules for measuring vulnerabilities. By integrating these policies into CI/CD systems, organisations can establish clear severity levels, compliance requirements, and acceptable risk thresholds, reducing ambiguity.

Unified Reporting Formats are another way to maintain consistency. Using formats like JSON or syslog allows data to be aggregated from multiple tools, making it easier to analyse trends and maintain historical records.

Visual Compliance Tracking supports this effort by providing dashboards that highlight compliance trends over time. These visual tools make it easier to spot policy violations and ensure all stakeholders interpret the data consistently.

By standardising metrics, teams can better identify patterns, allocate resources more effectively, and benchmark performance across projects.

Common Challenges in Metric Tracking and Solutions

Even with automation and standardisation, challenges can arise. These include gaps in expertise, tool overload, false positives, and resistance to change. Addressing these issues is essential for reliable monitoring.

Security Expertise Gaps are a common hurdle. Developers may lack the knowledge needed to interpret scan results or prioritise fixes. Offering targeted training can empower teams to handle vulnerabilities without always relying on security specialists.

Tool Integration Complexity can overwhelm teams if systems don’t work well together. Choosing tools that integrate seamlessly into CI/CD pipelines and provide actionable insights is critical.

False Positives remain a persistent issue. Fine-tuning scanning tools and calibrating them to the organisation’s specific needs can reduce noise and ensure focus on high-priority vulnerabilities.

Cultural Resistance can slow down adoption of security practices. When security is seen as a barrier to speed, it’s important to promote a collaborative, security-first mindset. Highlighting how strong security prevents costly incidents can help shift perceptions.

Resource Limitations often make it hard to implement robust monitoring. Managed services can provide advanced security capabilities without the need for significant internal resources.

Environmental Inconsistencies can cause vulnerabilities to behave differently across development, testing, and production environments. Tools like Docker help standardise these environments, reducing blind spots.

Pipeline Complexity can make monitoring and troubleshooting difficult. Simplifying pipeline stages and using a modular design can make it easier to pinpoint where vulnerabilities arise and track metrics accurately.

Monitoring System Gaps leave teams in the dark about pipeline status and emerging issues. A real-time monitoring system can provide visibility into test results, deployment metrics, and overall pipeline health, enabling teams to catch problems early and ensure accurate tracking throughout the development lifecycle.

Improving Vulnerability Monitoring with Hokstad Consulting

When it comes to vulnerability monitoring, integrating expert solutions into your existing systems can make a world of difference. By leveraging seamless CI/CD integration and automation, organisations can strengthen their security measures without overburdening their resources. Hokstad Consulting specialises in helping businesses achieve this by combining their expertise in DevOps transformation, cloud cost engineering, and AI-driven automation to create monitoring systems that are both efficient and reliable.

Automated CI/CD Integrations and Dashboards

For vulnerability monitoring to be effective, it needs to fit smoothly into your current workflows. Hokstad Consulting focuses on building automated CI/CD pipelines that serve as the backbone for AI-driven security tools. This approach eliminates the need for manual processes, which are often prone to errors and leave gaps in monitoring.

Rather than forcing teams to adjust to rigid tools, Hokstad Consulting develops systems that integrate seamlessly with your existing processes. These systems enhance workflows with intelligent vulnerability detection while maintaining development speed. Real-time dashboards further improve visibility, offering tailored interfaces for different teams. For example:

• Development teams can monitor code-level vulnerabilities and track remediation efforts.
• Security teams can access comprehensive risk assessments and compliance updates.

AI-powered detection also plays a key role, improving pattern recognition and enabling instant responses. With Hokstad Consulting's DevOps transformation services, companies have reported up to 75% faster deployments and a 90% reduction in errors.

Cloud Security Optimisation

Monitoring vulnerabilities in cloud environments can be particularly challenging, especially when balancing security needs with budget constraints. Hokstad Consulting's expertise in cloud cost engineering ensures that businesses can secure their systems without overspending.

Their approach focuses on intelligent resource allocation, balancing robust security coverage with efficient use of resources. AI-driven automation helps streamline these processes, ensuring that no money is wasted on redundant measures.

To keep systems running smoothly, Hokstad Consulting conducts continuous security audits and performance reviews. These measures help businesses stay compliant with evolving cybersecurity regulations while maintaining optimal performance.

Hokstad Consulting helps companies optimise their DevOps, cloud infrastructure, and hosting costs without sacrificing reliability or speed, and we can often cap our fees at a percentage of your savings. – Hokstad Consulting

Case Study: Improving Metrics with Hokstad Consulting

The benefits of Hokstad Consulting's approach are best illustrated through the results they deliver. Here’s a snapshot of the improvements organisations typically experience:

For instance, one client saw a 95% drop in downtime and saved over £50,000 annually thanks to Hokstad Consulting's streamlined automation and cost optimisation strategies.

The process begins with a thorough audit to identify vulnerabilities and inefficiencies. Hokstad Consulting then implements tailored automation solutions to address these gaps. With ongoing support, businesses can maintain these improvements and adapt to emerging threats.

This customised approach is particularly valuable for UK organisations aiming to balance cost savings with regulatory compliance, ensuring they are well-equipped for continuous improvement.

Conclusion: Tracking Metrics to Strengthen CI/CD Security

Continuous vulnerability monitoring isn’t just about deploying security tools - it’s about creating a framework that uses data to manage risks effectively in CI/CD pipelines. The metrics we’ve discussed throughout this article lay the groundwork for building robust pipelines that can handle evolving threats while keeping development on track. These metrics lead to measurable outcomes, as highlighted below.

Key Takeaways

Organisations that track detailed vulnerability metrics see better security results. Metrics like vulnerability detection rate, mean time to remediate (MTTR), and policy compliance are essential. When combined with other performance indicators, they provide valuable insights into pipeline health and security [4].

To continuously improve your security stance, track metrics like vulnerability detection rate, mean time to remediate, policy compliance, security test coverage, and security-related build failures.
– Wiz [4]

Currently, only 30% of organisations can resolve critical security incidents within 12 hours, leaving many exposed to high-risk vulnerabilities for longer periods [7]. Effective tracking of metrics allows for predictive security management. By translating complex risks into actionable insights, organisations empower both technical teams and business leaders to make informed decisions about resources and risk tolerance [3].

Tracking vulnerabilities is only part of the equation. To improve security over time, you must measure how effectively you manage risk.
– Legit Security [3]

The next step for organisations is to act on these insights.

Next Steps for Organisations

Using the metrics and trends outlined earlier, organisations need to adopt automated, systematic processes for continuous vulnerability monitoring.

Key immediate actions include:

• Establishing baselines for security posture with environment-specific metrics [15].
• Automating SAST, DAST, SCA, container, and secret scanning across all workflows [4] [1].
• Integrating these processes seamlessly into existing development workflows.

Organisational adjustments are also critical:

• Define security policies in machine-readable formats.
• Standardise scanner configurations across teams.
• Streamline processes for prioritising and managing results [1].
• Conduct regular security audits to complement automated monitoring [16].

For organisations aiming to boost their vulnerability monitoring capabilities, working with specialists like Hokstad Consulting can provide the expertise required to implement comprehensive solutions quickly. Their focus on DevOps transformation and cloud cost engineering ensures that security improvements align with operational efficiency and budgetary needs.

Recent studies highlight why action is urgent. For example, 57% of organisations have faced security incidents due to exposed secrets in insecure DevOps workflows [13], and 35% still rely on poorly secured self-hosted runners [4]. On the other hand, organisations with strong vulnerability monitoring practices have seen a 30% drop in security incidents and a 40% reduction in post-deployment vulnerabilities [14].

Achieving success in continuous vulnerability monitoring requires a balance of technology and culture. While metrics provide the data needed for improvement, long-term success depends on fostering collaboration between development, operations, and security teams. This ensures that software remains secure and reliable, meeting both business goals and customer expectations, all while maintaining the rapid development pace needed to stay competitive.

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