A severity score is a numerical value assigned to a security vulnerability to indicate its potential impact or risk level. It helps organizations prioritize their response by evaluating how critical or dangerous a vulnerability is. Severity scores are often calculated using standardized frameworks, such as the Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS), which consider factors like exploitability, potential damage, and the complexity of an attack. By using severity scores, cybersecurity teams can efficiently allocate resources to address the most serious threats first, improving overall security posture and reducing the risk of significant breaches or data loss.