Grouping multiple findings as remediation tasks for easy processing using remediation task rules

  • Release version: Zurich
  • Updated March 12, 2026
  • 3 minutes to read
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    Summary of Grouping multiple findings as remediation tasks for easy processing using remediation task rules

    Remediation task rules in ServiceNow Zurich release enable vulnerability analysts and remediation teams to efficiently manage multiple findings by automatically grouping them into remediation tasks. This automation eliminates manual task creation and streamlines the remediation process by grouping findings based on configurable criteria.

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    Key Features

    • Remediation Task Rules: Define how findings are grouped into remediation tasks using up to six "Group by" criteria such as vulnerability severity, configuration item, assignment group, risk score, technology, and attack vector.
    • Default and Custom Rules: A default rule groups findings by vulnerability, but you can create custom rules using various attributes to suit your remediation needs.
    • Execution Modes:
      • Match All (default): Evaluates all applicable rules for each finding, allowing assignment to multiple remediation tasks.
      • Match First: Evaluates rules sequentially and assigns each finding to only one remediation task based on the first matching rule.
      Execution mode can be changed via the Remediation task rules page, advanced settings, or system properties.
    • Automated Task Creation and Assignment: When a finding matches a rule, it is either added to an existing open remediation task or a new task is created. Assignment groups on tasks follow the assignment rules set on the findings.
    • Reapplying and Managing Rules: You can reapply rules to update task groupings and reorder rule priorities. Deleting rules allows optional deletion of open tasks created by those rules.
    • State Synchronization: Task state changes roll down to associated findings, and findings’ terminal states roll up to update the remediation task state on a scheduled basis.
    • Assignment Management: Assignment groups and assignees from remediation tasks roll down to associated findings to maintain consistent ownership.

    Practical Benefits for ServiceNow Customers

    • Automates bulk management of vulnerability findings, reducing manual effort and speeding remediation workflows.
    • Enables flexible grouping of findings based on multiple attributes to tailor remediation tasks to organizational needs.
    • Supports different rule execution modes to control whether findings belong to multiple or single remediation tasks.
    • Improves task and finding state synchronization to maintain accurate status tracking across remediation work.
    • Maintains consistent assignment ownership across tasks and findings for better accountability.
    • Allows easy rule updates and task regrouping to adapt to changing remediation strategies without disruption.

    Remediation tasks help vulnerability analysts and remediation teams manage findings in bulk. By configuring remediation task rules, you can automatically group findings into remediation tasks, eliminating the need for manual task creation and streamlining remediation efforts.

    Remediation task rules define how findings are grouped into tasks. A default rule based on vulnerability is included in the system, but rules can also use other attributes such as:
    • Vulnerability severity or summary
    • Configuration item (CI) or product model
    • Assignment group
    • Risk score
    • Technology or attack vector
    You can define up to six "Group by" criteria and apply multiple conditions. Once a match is found, the system either adds the finding to an existing Open remediation task or creates a new one. These rules apply to newly created findings or the ones updated with attributes that impact task assignment: Task rules can be reapplied to update groupings as needed. Rules are evaluated after CI matching, risk calculation, and assignment.
    Note:
    Excessive rules may impact performance. Ensure that rules are optimized to avoid duplication and inefficiency.
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    Remediation task rule execution mode

    You can configure how remediation task rules are evaluated during finding ingestion by setting the execution mode. Two modes are available:
    • Match All (default): All applicable rules are evaluated and executed for each finding. A finding can be assigned to multiple remediation tasks if it matches more than one rule.
    • Match First: Rules are evaluated sequentially by execution order and only the first matching rule is applied. Each finding is assigned to exactly one remediation task.
    You can change the execution mode using any of the following methods:
    • Switch between modes using the label link: Match All or Match First rule on the Remediation task rules page.
    • Navigate to Security Exposure Management > Administration > Advanced Settings and update the Remediation Task Rule Mode setting.
    • Update the sn_sec_rem.remediation_task_rule_mode system property directly All > System Properties. Valid values are match-all and match-first.

    How remediation task rules work

    When a new finding is created, imported, or reopened, the system evaluates it against the defined remediation task rules. In Match All mode, all rules are evaluated. In Match First mode, evaluation stops at the first matching rule based on execution order. For each rule where the condition matches, the system pulls the relevant data from the "Group by" selections and builds a group name. If a matching open remediation task exists, the finding is added to it. Otherwise, a new task is created. By default, remediation task rules use the assignment group set by the assignment rules on the finding. The assignment of these remediation tasks is controlled by the assignment rules. When a task rule is deleted, you have the option to delete all open tasks created by that rule.

    Managing remediation task rules

    Reapplying rules: Use the Reapply button on the rule form to rerun the rule on all open remediation tasks it created. The reapplication process deletes and recreates tasks based on the updated rule. Reapply behavior depends on the execution mode:
    • Match First: All rules are reapplied sequentially by execution order. You cannot selectively reapply individual rules. Use the drag handles on the rules list to reorder rules by priority before reapplying.
    • Match All: You can select specific rules to reapply using the checkboxes on the rules list, or reapply all rules at once.

    Deleting rules: When deleting a rule, you may also delete the open tasks created by it. Tasks not in the Open state remain unaffected.

    Creating and managing remediation tasks

    Remediation tasks can be created in the following ways:

    State synchronization

    • Rolldown: When a remediation task state changes (for example, from Open to Under Investigation, this change is pushed to all associated findings.)
    • Rollup: When all associated findings share a common terminal state (for example, Deferred, Closed - Fixed), their state rolls up to the remediation task. Rollup jobs run at scheduled intervals (for example, every 15 minutes).

    Assignment management

    Assignment groups and assignees from remediation tasks are rolled down to associated findings unless those findings already have different assignments. This roll down helps standardize ownership across all related records.