Qualys VMDR
by Qualys
Covered
9
controls
Partial
2
controls
Gaps
3
controls
Overview
Qualys VMDR by Qualys is a vulnerability management solution that covers 9 NIST 800-171 controls (8% total coverage). It addresses key requirements in the vulnerability management domain for defense contractors pursuing CMMC compliance.
Implementation Notes
Deploy Qualys VMDR with FIPS-validated configurations. Integrate with your SIEM for centralized audit logging. Review partial controls quarterly to identify supplementary tooling needs.
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Implementation Guidance for Qualys VMDR
Configure Qualys VMDR for NIST 800-171 compliance by focusing on four key control families. For System and Information Integrity (SI) controls, enable continuous vulnerability scanning with authenticated scans every 7 days, configure vulnerability correlation to identify critical exposures, and set automated remediation workflows for high-risk findings. Implement scan scheduling across all network segments including DMZ and internal networks. For Configuration Management (CM) controls, utilize asset discovery and inventory features to maintain accurate system baselines, enable configuration drift detection, and implement change tracking for security-relevant modifications. Configure compliance scanning against security baselines like DISA STIGs and CIS benchmarks. For Risk Assessment (RA) controls, establish risk-based prioritization using CVSS scoring combined with asset criticality ratings, implement threat intelligence feeds for contextual risk analysis, and configure executive dashboards showing risk trends over time. For Access Control (AC) support, leverage asset tagging and network mapping to verify network segmentation effectiveness. Generate assessment evidence through automated compliance reports, vulnerability trend analysis, and remediation tracking dashboards that demonstrate continuous monitoring capabilities. Integrate with SIEM platforms like Splunk for security event correlation, patch management tools for automated remediation, and ticketing systems for workflow management. Common misconfigurations include inadequate scan frequency for critical assets, insufficient credential configuration causing incomplete vulnerability detection, improper asset categorization leading to incorrect risk scoring, and failure to configure proper exception handling processes that C3PAOs often flag during assessments.
Gap Analysis & Compensating Controls
The primary gaps in Qualys VMDR's NIST 800-171 coverage center on three control families requiring additional tooling. Access Control (AC) family has the most significant gaps, particularly around user authentication, privileged access management, and session controls - requiring dedicated PAM solutions like CyberArk or BeyondTrust, plus multi-factor authentication tools. System and Communications Protection (SC) controls lack coverage for network security monitoring and data-in-transit protection, necessitating network monitoring tools like Darktrace or ExtraHop, plus encryption solutions for data protection. Audit and Accountability (AU) controls require comprehensive logging and monitoring capabilities beyond vulnerability management, demanding SIEM platforms like Splunk or QRadar for log aggregation and analysis. Document these gaps in your System Security Plan by creating specific control implementation narratives that reference Qualys VMDR for vulnerability management aspects while clearly identifying gaps requiring compensating controls. In your Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M), prioritize Access Control gaps first due to their high CMMC assessment weight and fundamental security importance, followed by audit logging capabilities for compliance evidence generation, then network security monitoring for comprehensive threat detection. These gaps represent approximately 92% of NIST 800-171 controls, emphasizing that Qualys VMDR serves as a foundational but not comprehensive compliance solution requiring integration with multiple security tools for complete coverage.
Compliance Cost Estimate
Qualys VMDR licensing ranges from $3,500-$8,000 per year for small defense contractors (100-500 assets) to $25,000-$75,000 annually for larger organizations (1,000+ assets), with pricing based on asset count and module selection. Implementation costs typically range $15,000-$40,000 including professional services for initial configuration, policy development, and staff training. Ongoing operational costs average $2,000-$5,000 monthly for managed services or dedicated security analyst time for scan management, report generation, and remediation tracking. Compared to competitors like Rapid7 InsightVM or Tenable.io, Qualys VMDR offers competitive pricing with superior scalability and cloud-native architecture, though initial setup complexity may increase implementation costs. Factor in additional integration costs for API connections to SIEM, ticketing, and patch management systems essential for comprehensive vulnerability management workflows.
Compliance Cross-References
Qualys VMDR directly supports DFARS 252.204-7012 requirements for vulnerability scanning and patch management, particularly addressing the mandate for continuous monitoring and timely remediation of security vulnerabilities. For CMMC Level 2, Qualys VMDR satisfies multiple assessment objectives within the Configuration Management (CM.2.061, CM.2.062) and System and Information Integrity (SI.2.209, SI.2.210) domains by providing automated vulnerability detection, asset inventory management, and security baseline compliance monitoring. The solution addresses FedRAMP Moderate controls including RA-5 (Vulnerability Scanning), SI-2 (Flaw Remediation), and CM-6 (Configuration Settings) through its comprehensive scanning and compliance reporting capabilities. CMMC assessment objectives satisfied include demonstrating continuous vulnerability monitoring processes, maintaining accurate asset inventories, and providing evidence of timely security patch deployment. However, assessors will require additional tools for identity management (AC domain), incident response capabilities (IR domain), and comprehensive audit logging (AU domain) to achieve full CMMC Level 2 compliance. The vulnerability management foundation provided by Qualys VMDR supports the overall cybersecurity framework but represents only one component of a comprehensive CMMC compliance strategy requiring integrated security tool stack deployment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many NIST 800-171 controls does Qualys VMDR cover?
Qualys VMDR covers 9 of 110 NIST 800-171 controls (8%), with 2 partially covered and 3 gaps.
Can Qualys VMDR alone satisfy CMMC Level 2?
No single tool covers all 110 NIST 800-171 controls. Qualys VMDR covers 8% and should be part of a layered security stack addressing the remaining controls.
What controls does Qualys VMDR not cover?
Qualys VMDR does not cover controls mp-3-8-1, ia-3-5-1, pe-3-10-1. These require supplementary solutions such as physical security controls, additional access management, or media protection tools.
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