Which of the following is a component of vulnerability management?

Regularly monitoring and testing networks is a crucial component of vulnerability management because it helps identify and assess vulnerabilities within the system or network regularly. This ongoing process enables organizations to detect new vulnerabilities that may arise due to changes in the threat landscape, updates, or modifications in the infrastructure. By consistently testing and monitoring, organizations can evaluate their security posture, implement necessary updates, and take proactive measures to mitigate risks before they are exploited by malicious actors.

The other options, while important aspects of overall security practices, do not directly tie into the core activities involved in managing vulnerabilities effectively. Encrypting sensitive data primarily focuses on protecting data confidentiality rather than identifying or managing vulnerabilities. Creating firewall policies is important for regulating incoming and outgoing network traffic but does not constitute a direct management strategy for vulnerabilities in the system. Avoiding third-party vendors can be a risk management strategy, yet it does not involve the continuous evaluation and testing processes that are essential to vulnerability management.