Request bulk exception in the Security Exposure Management Workspace

Request an exception for multiple findings concurrently using the bulk edit feature instead of manually selecting each record.

Before you begin

Role required:

sn_vul.vulnerability_analyst, sn_vul.vulnerability_admin, or sn_vul.remediation_owner for host vulnerable items (VITs)
sn_vul.app_sec_manager, sn_vul.app_security_champion for application vulnerable items (AVITs)
sn_vul_container.vulnerability_analyst, sn_vul_container.vulnerability_admin, or sn_vul_container.remediation_owner for container vulnerable items (CVITs)
sn_vulc.admin, sn_vulc.remediation_owner for configuration test results (CTRs)

About this task

When you request an exception for one or more records from the Bulk edit modal, a remediation task is created with the selected records. The remediation task is created only when Deferred or Closed-false positive state is selected.

Note: The Application Vulnerable Items (AVITs) from the scanners with the Manage exceptions in ServiceNow parameter set to false aren't updated.

If you select AVITs from various scanners, some with the Manage exceptions in ServiceNow parameter set to true and other set to false, the AVITs linked to the scanners with he Manage exceptions in ServiceNow parameter set to false aren't updated.
If you select AVITs from only the scanners with the Manage exceptions in ServiceNow parameter set to false, the Defer option does not appear in the State field in the Bulk Edit modal.

Procedure

Navigate to Workspaces > Security Exposure Management Workspace.
On the List page, open the Active or All list in one of the following lists:
- Host Vulnerable items
- Container Vulnerable items
- Application Vulnerable items
- Configuration Test Results
Perform one of the following:
- Select the check box next to each item if you want to use the Only Selected Items option in the Record selection field.
- Apply filters if you want to use the All records that match filter option in the Record selection field.
Select the Bulk Edit button.
On the form, select Deferred in the State field, and select a Reason to request an exception for multiple findings (VITs, AVITs, CVITs, or TRs) simultaneously.

For a description of the other field values, see Bulk edit form fields.
Select Update.

Note: If you have configured Questionnaire for exception requests, this button is labeled Go to Questionnaire instead.
On the Questionnaire modal, answer the questions and select  Submit.

A remediation task is created containing the records that you selected. Your request is submitted for approval and the State of the records changes to  In Review.

Note: The Questionnaire modal appears only when the questionnaire is enabled for exception requests in the Exception Management form.
- For more information on configuring a questionnaire for exception requests, see Configure Exception Management for Vulnerability Response, Configure Exception Management for Application Vulnerability Response, and Configure Exception Management for Container Vulnerability Response, and Configuration Compliance Exception Management overview.
- In case you must modify your questionnaire, refer to KB2713229. The approver receives an email notification about your request.

Result

In the Security Exposure Management Workspace, on the List page, navigate to Exceptions > All, open the corresponding state change approval record (VCA#) and check the status of your request in the Approval state column:

Approval state	Result
Approved	The state of the Remediation task transitions to Deferred with the given Reason as sub-state. The state and reason are rolled down to the records. The state of the Remediation task transitions to Deferred with the given Reason as sub-state. The state and reason are rolled down to the records. When risk modification is also requested, a separate change approval is created for the risk modification request. If that approval is also approved, the risk rating of the records is updated to the desired risk rating that was selected during the bulk edit request.
Rejected	The state of the Remediation Task and its records doesn’t change.

Approval state

Result

Approved

The state of the Remediation task transitions to Deferred with the given Reason as sub-state. The state and reason are rolled down to the records. The state of the Remediation task transitions to Deferred with the given Reason as sub-state. The state and reason are rolled down to the records. When risk modification is also requested, a separate change approval is created for the risk modification request. If that approval is also approved, the risk rating of the records is updated to the desired risk rating that was selected during the bulk edit request.

Rejected

The state of the Remediation Task and its records doesn’t change.

In the Activity stream of a record or remediation task, you can view the entire workflow of your request.

Related topics

Bulk edit form fields

title	Request bulk exception in the Security Exposure Management Workspace
description	Request an exception for multiple findings concurrently using the bulk edit feature instead of manually selecting each record.
locale	en-US
canonical_url	https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/australia/security-management/sem-bulk-edit-request-exception.html
release	australia
topic_type	task
last_updated	2026-09-30
reading_time_minutes	4
breadcrumb	Using bulk edit in the Security Exposure Management WorkspaceBulk edit in the Security Exposure Management WorkspaceUseUnified Security Exposure ManagementSecurity Operations