Which of the following is NOT a component of a typical vulnerability assessment?

A vulnerability assessment primarily aims to identify, quantify, and prioritize vulnerabilities in a system or network. The typical components of this process are essential for establishing a clear understanding of the security posture of an organization.

Asset identification is critical as it involves cataloging the assets within the organization, including hardware, software, and data, which need protection. Understanding what assets exist allows vulnerabilities to be assessed concerning the assets they affect.

Threat classification is crucial because it enables teams to understand potential threats and how they might exploit vulnerabilities. By categorizing threats, organizations can prioritize their assessments based on the most likely or most damaging threats.

Risk analysis is another key component, as it helps evaluate the potential impact and likelihood of various vulnerabilities. This portion of the assessment provides insights into which vulnerabilities pose the greatest risk, guiding mitigation efforts.

An incident response plan, while vital to an organization's overall security strategy, is not a core component of a vulnerability assessment. Instead, it is focused on how an organization will respond to a security breach or incident after it has occurred. This plan addresses actions post-assessment, rather than during the vulnerability assessment process itself, which is why it is identified as the correct response in this case.