What is the purpose of a 'Vulnerability Scan' action in ServiceNow?

The purpose of a 'Vulnerability Scan' action in ServiceNow is to import and analyze vulnerability findings from external scanning tools. This action is critical in the vulnerability response lifecycle because it allows organizations to identify and assess vulnerabilities present in their systems, applications, and networks. By importing data from external scans, ServiceNow can effectively aggregate and prioritize vulnerabilities, facilitating a more comprehensive approach to risk management and mitigation.

When organizations perform vulnerability scans using specialized tools, they receive detailed reports outlining potential weaknesses. The integration of these findings into ServiceNow enables teams to leverage existing workflows, incident management processes, and remediation actions, streamlining vulnerability response efforts. This ensures that vulnerabilities are not only identified but also tracked and resolved efficiently within the organization's security framework.

Other options listed do not align with the specific functionality of the 'Vulnerability Scan' action. For instance, creating new user accounts, generating reports for management, or scheduling routine system backups are distinct administrative tasks that do not pertain directly to the scanning, identification, and analysis of vulnerabilities in IT assets.