Which practice helps ensure security vulnerabilities are addressed within a timely manner?

The correct practice that helps ensure security vulnerabilities are addressed in a timely manner is keeping antivirus mechanisms actively running. Active antivirus software plays a critical role in identifying and mitigating threats as they arise. It continually scans for malware, trojans, and other security vulnerabilities, often in real-time, which allows organizations to respond quickly to potential security incidents. This proactive approach helps in minimizing the window of exposure to threats that could exploit vulnerabilities within the system.

Regular updates of antivirus definitions also ensure that the software is equipped to recognize new threats, thus enhancing the organization's overall security posture. In this way, maintaining operational antivirus mechanisms is a fundamental aspect of a proactive security strategy, enabling timely detection and remediation of vulnerabilities.

The other options do not support timely addressing of vulnerabilities as effectively. For instance, installing non-vendor recommended patches could lead to compatibility issues or additional vulnerabilities rather than addressing existing ones adequately. Implementing a schedule for regular system audits is beneficial but may not address vulnerabilities in real-time, as it focuses more on periodic reviews rather than continuous monitoring. Maintaining outdated software versions is counterproductive since vulnerabilities often arise from that very software when it is no longer supported or patched by vendors.