Introduction to the Special Issue on Vulnerabilities

Abstract

Vulnerabilities are a fundamental aspect of the field of Digital Threats. How we discover, manage, and reduce the impact of vulnerabilities is as important as the vulnerabilities themselves. In this special issue, we have five articles. We cover topics from “Analyzing the Direct and Transitive Impact of Vulnerabilities onto Different Artifact Repositories” to “Are We Skillful or Just Lucky? Interpreting the Possible Histories of Vulnerability Disclosure.” We want to know what to expect in vulnerabilities; the article entitled “Vulnerability Forecasting: Theory and Practice” looks at the future of what to expect. On the other hand, Smart Cities may have vulnerabilities as well; thus, the article entitled “Vulnerability Exposure Driven Intelligence in Smart, Circular Cities” examines those possibilities. Finally, can vulnerabilities help us defend our networks? The article entitled “Strategies for Practical Hybrid Attack Graph Generation and Analysis” considers this strategy. We hope you learn from these articles and the topics they cover can help you manage your own vulnerabilities. Vulnerability disclosure, transitive impacts, forecasting, and attack graph generating are all current issues that need more exposure. Being prepared for the future in smart cities is important as well.