How to write a good Report ?

In Cybersecurity, reports and write-ups are often seen as just a formality or a compliance (and/or manager and/or client) requirement, but when done right, they’re one of the most powerful tools a team has to stay informed, learn from past incidents, and continuously improve security posture.

In this article, I'm sharing some of the best practices when it comes to writing a report in cybersecurity, from Discovery to Remediation.

A vulnerability test report is more than just a list of weaknesses in your systems—it’s a roadmap for how to strengthen them. The quality of this report directly affects how efficiently your team can address the issues. A well-written report ensures that vulnerabilities aren’t just identified but are also understood and prioritized for remediation.

A good structured vulnerability report is often structured as follow :

Executive Summary

A high-level overview for non-technical stakeholders. This should include the scope of the assessment, a summary of the findings, and the overall risk to the organization.

Test Methodology

Clearly document the tools and techniques used during the test. Include details on the configurations, scan settings, and any parameters that might affect the outcome. This transparency allows the results to be reproduced or verified later.

Detailed Findings

For each vulnerability, describe the issue in technical terms. Explain how the vulnerability was discovered, what caused it, and the specific areas of the system it affects.

Risk Assessment

Quantify the severity of the vulnerabilities using common frameworks like the Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS). This helps prioritize remediation based on the level of risk each vulnerability poses.

Recommendations

Offer clear, actionable steps to mitigate or patch each vulnerability. Include both short-term fixes and long-term solutions, with attention to the potential impact on business operations.

Reports don’t just inform immediate action—they should become part of a long-term knowledge management strategy. Every vulnerability test, incident response, and security audit is a learning opportunity. When documented properly, these reports help your team build a knowledge base that can be used to improve security measures, reduce response times, and avoid repeating mistakes.

In cybersecurity, knowledge is power. And the more you document, the stronger you become.