Priority Matrix Template: How to Create One Quickly

David, an IT Security Manager at a growing fintech company, faced an overwhelming backlog of security vulnerabilities. His team was constantly busy, but without a clear prioritization framework, they tackled issues reactively—focusing on what seemed urgent rather than what was truly critical. Vulnerabilities that should have been patched immediately were delayed due to lack of structure, and low-risk issues received disproportionate attention.

One day, a critical SQL injection vulnerability—discovered months earlier—was exploited by attackers, leading to unauthorized access to sensitive financial data. The breach cost the company millions in legal fees, compliance penalties, and lost customer trust. The aftermath was brutal: leadership questioned why an identified vulnerability wasn’t resolved sooner. The answer? Without prioritization, security efforts were unfocused, leaving high-risk vulnerabilities unaddressed.

Had David implemented a structured Priority Matrix, his team could have focused on the most impactful vulnerabilities first, preventing the breach altogether.

What is a Priority Matrix?

A Priority Matrix is a structured tool used to categorize tasks based on impact and urgency. For application security, it ensures teams focus on vulnerabilities that pose the greatest risk to an organization.

A well-structured Priority Matrix typically classifies vulnerabilities into four categories:

1. Critical & Urgent – Requires immediate attention (e.g., active exploits in the wild, vulnerabilities affecting customer data).

2. Critical but Not Urgent – High-risk issues that need resolution but can be scheduled into a sprint cycle (e.g., code injection vulnerabilities in rarely accessed components).

3. Non-Critical but Urgent – Issues that aren’t severe but may still impact security operations (e.g., misconfigured security settings that could lead to exposure over time).

4. Non-Critical & Non-Urgent – Minor risks that can be addressed during routine updates.

By using a Priority Matrix, security teams avoid distractions and ensure that resources are allocated where they matter most.

Why Use a Priority Matrix for DevSecOps?

In DevSecOps, security must be integrated into the development lifecycle without slowing down agile workflows. A Priority Matrix helps DevSecOps teams:

• Reduce Risk Exposure: High-risk vulnerabilities are patched before attackers can exploit them.

• Improve Developer Efficiency: Developers focus on security tasks that align with business impact rather than working on security fixes randomly.

• Enhance Compliance & Governance: Ensures that vulnerabilities affecting regulatory compliance (e.g., GDPR, PCI-DSS) are prioritized appropriately.

• Maintain a Predictable Security Workflow: Keeps remediation efforts structured and aligned with sprint planning.

Example of an Application Security Priority Matrix

Below is an example of how a security team could structure an Application Security Priority Matrix:

Step-by-Step Guide to Using ezRACI’s AppSec Priority Matrix Template:

Step 1: Implement ezRACI’s Priority Matrix Template

• Utilize ezRACI’s AppSec Priority Matrix Template to establish a structured vulnerability remediation framework.

• Define priority levels based on risk severity and exploitability.

Step 2: Map Vulnerabilities to Business Impact

• Assess each security issue using a risk-based approach (e.g., likelihood of exploitation, impact on sensitive data, regulatory implications).

• Classify vulnerabilities into Critical & Urgent, Critical but Not Urgent, Non-Critical but Urgent, and Non-Critical & Non-Urgent.

Step 3: Align Security Fixes with DevOps Sprint Cycles

• Integrate security tasks into the development backlog.

• Use ezRACI’s Gantt charts to track remediation timelines.

Step 4: Assign Clear Responsibilities Using RACI

• Designate team roles:

  • Responsible (R): Developers assigned to remediate vulnerabilities.

  • Accountable (A): Security leads ensuring fixes meet compliance.

  • Consulted (C): Compliance officers providing regulatory input.

  • Informed (I): Executives monitoring security progress.

Step 5: Automate Notifications & Status Updates

• Use real-time notifications to keep stakeholders informed about vulnerability remediation progress.

• Automate alerts for approaching deadlines and high-priority issues.

Step 6: Monitor & Adjust Security Prioritization

• Regularly review security fix completion rates using ezRACI’s dashboard-level reporting.

• Adjust prioritization based on emerging threats and security trends.

How ezRACI Enhances Application Security Prioritization

ezRACI provides a structured and automated approach to vulnerability tracking and prioritization, ensuring security teams focus on what matters most.

1. Priority Matrix Template for Application Security

• Standardized framework for ranking vulnerabilities based on business impact and exploitability.

2. Built-in Calendars for Project Planning

• Integrates with MS Outlook and Gmail to schedule vulnerability remediation efforts.

3. Discussion Boards with MS Teams & Slack Integration

• Enables real-time discussions between security, development, and DevOps teams.

4. Real-Time Notifications

• Alerts stakeholders about critical security vulnerabilities, sprint deadlines, and progress updates.

5. Task Lists and Scrum/Kanban Boards

• Helps align security vulnerability remediation with agile workflows.

6. @Tags for Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Assign tasks and involve the right stakeholders using @mentions.

7. Audit Trails & Dashboard-Level Reporting

• Track all security-related changes, ensuring compliance and transparency.

8. Growing Library of RACI & Gantt Templates

• Access pre-built templates for security, IT, healthcare, and financial services industries.

Conclusion

A lack of prioritization in security remediation can lead to devastating consequences, as seen in David’s case. Implementing a structured approach using ezRACI’s Priority Matrix ensures security teams work on the most impactful vulnerabilities first, reducing cyber risk exposure and improving compliance.

By leveraging ezRACI’s AppSec Priority Matrix Template, security leaders can align vulnerability fixes with business needs, improve DevSecOps efficiency, and prevent costly security incidents.

Take control of your security priorities today with ezRACI!