NETWORK VULNERABILITY MANAGEMENT APPARATUS AND METHOD

A data processing system is provided for identifying risks associated with abnormal conditions of network elements in a communications network. A data collection and processing module collects alarm message signals from a communications network and processes the alarm messages to general abnormal condition signals. An interface module also receives external condition signals indicative of external conditions affecting network elements in the communications network. The system provides an electronic risk processing module that generates direct and indirect risk signals based upon the abnormal condition signals, the external condition signals, and stored reference data. A display means displays a network element risk signal which is the sum of said direct and indirect risk signals. The displayed risk signal aids in assessing risks associated with network elements experiencing abnormal conditions. The system also generates and displays a sub-network risk signal. The system also adjusts the various risk calculations to take into account different types of planned maintenance activities.