How would you define the success of Qualys's Web Application Scanning (WAS) feature?

Introduction

Defining the success of Qualys's Web Application Scanning (WAS) feature requires a comprehensive approach that considers multiple stakeholders and metrics. To effectively address this product success metrics challenge, I'll follow a structured framework covering core metrics, supporting indicators, and risk factors while considering all key stakeholders.

Step 1

Product Context

Qualys Web Application Scanning (WAS) is a cloud-based security solution that automatically discovers and catalogs web applications, then performs comprehensive, high-speed scans to identify vulnerabilities. It's designed to help organizations secure their web applications against potential attacks and comply with various security standards.

Key stakeholders include:

1. Security teams: Seeking to identify and remediate vulnerabilities quickly
2. Developers: Need actionable insights to fix security issues
3. Compliance officers: Require reports for audits and regulatory compliance
4. IT managers: Want to ensure overall application security posture
5. Business executives: Interested in risk reduction and cost-effectiveness

User flow:

1. Discovery: Users configure WAS to discover web applications across their network
2. Scanning: WAS performs automated scans on discovered applications
3. Analysis: The tool processes scan results and identifies vulnerabilities
4. Reporting: Users review detailed reports and prioritize remediation efforts
5. Remediation: Security teams and developers work together to address identified issues

WAS fits into Qualys's broader strategy of providing a comprehensive, cloud-based IT security and compliance solution. It complements other Qualys offerings like Vulnerability Management and Container Security.

Compared to competitors like Acunetix and Nessus, Qualys WAS differentiates itself through its cloud-based architecture, integration with other Qualys modules, and its ability to scale for large enterprises.

Product Lifecycle Stage: Qualys WAS is in the growth stage, with ongoing feature enhancements and increasing market adoption. The focus is on expanding capabilities and market share while maintaining a strong core offering.