In Q4 2021, Kroll observed a 356% increase in common vulnerabilities and exposures (CVEs) or zero-day vulnerabilities being exploited for initial access when compared to Q3 2021. With 2021 being a record year for vulnerabilities, this finding may not be surprising, but it underscores the risk to organizations in the wake of high-profile vulnerability notifications - and the speed with which cybercriminals are able to exploit weaknesses in companies’ defenses.

Does the saying "compliance does not equal security" paint a holistic picture? Sure, the concept is genuine; meeting a single compliance standard will not directly improve security posture. However, after working with hundreds of organizations, we have learned there are key considerations that can help maximize the value and urgency of compliance requirements by channeling such efforts into more practical risk assessments.