What is a security control?

A security control is fundamentally defined as a measure taken to mitigate risks and protect information. This definition captures the essence of what security controls are designed to do: they are implemented to safeguard assets against threats and vulnerabilities. Security controls encompass a range of practices that organizations deploy to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information. These could include technical controls, such as firewalls and encryption, administrative controls, such as policies and training programs, and physical controls, like access restrictions to facilities.

By focusing on the idea of mitigating risks, this definition highlights the proactive nature of security controls, as they aim to reduce potential losses or damage that could arise from security incidents. The effectiveness of these controls is critical for organizations in maintaining their security posture and compliance with relevant regulations and standards.