Security Controls Framework

Security controls are the safeguards and countermeasures organizations deploy to protect their assets. Understanding how controls categorize and work together helps security professionals design effective defenses and identify gaps in protection.

Control Categories by Function

Preventive controls stop attacks before they succeed. Firewalls prevent unauthorized network access. Access controls prevent unauthorized data access. Input validation prevents injection attacks. These controls aim to make attacks impossible or significantly harder.

Detective controls identify attacks in progress or after the fact. Intrusion detection systems spot malicious network traffic. Log analysis reveals suspicious behavior. File integrity monitoring detects unauthorized changes. These controls assume prevention will sometimes fail and focus on catching what gets through.

Corrective controls remediate damage after incidents occur. Backup systems restore lost data. Incident response procedures guide recovery. Patch management fixes exploited vulnerabilities. These controls limit damage and restore normal operations.

Deterrent controls discourage attacks by making them seem too risky or difficult. Warning banners remind users of monitoring. Visible security measures suggest an inhospitable target. Legal threats create consequences for attackers.

Compensating controls substitute for primary controls that can't be fully implemented. If you can't patch a critical vulnerability immediately, you might implement additional monitoring as a compensating control until patching is possible.

Control Categories by Implementation

Administrative controls are policies, procedures, and guidelines. Acceptable use policies define appropriate behavior. Security awareness training educates users. Background checks vet employees before hiring. These controls work through people and processes.

Technical controls are technology-based protections. Encryption, access control lists, intrusion detection, and anti-malware are technical controls. they're implemented through hardware and software rather than human action.

Physical controls protect tangible assets. Locks, badges, cameras, and security guards prevent unauthorized physical access. Data center environmental controls protect equipment from damage. These controls matter for security even in a digital world—physical access often enables digital compromise.

Applying Frameworks

Security frameworks like NIST CSF, ISO 27001, and CIS Controls provide structured approaches to control selection. Rather than inventing controls from scratch, organizations map their needs to established frameworks.

The NIST Cybersecurity Framework organizes controls into five functions: Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, and Recover. This lifecycle approach ensures organizations address security comprehensively rather than focusing only on prevention.

Control gap analysis compares current state to framework requirements. What controls exist? Where are gaps? Which gaps present the highest risk? This structured approach prioritizes improvement efforts.

For SOC analysts, understanding control frameworks helps contextualize alerts. When you investigate an incident, knowing what controls should have prevented it helps assess whether controls failed or were bypassed—and what needs improvement.