What are security controls?

Security controls refer specifically to the safeguards or countermeasures that are implemented to protect information systems and data from threats and vulnerabilities. These controls can be administrative, technical, or physical in nature and are designed to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information.

By classifying them as safeguards or countermeasures, it emphasizes their protective role against various security risks. This understanding is critical for anyone involved in information security, as it highlights the comprehensive approach needed in establishing a secure environment.

In comparison, protocols for user training, while important for fostering a security-aware culture, do not encompass the broader range of mechanisms used to secure systems. Software tools for data analysis focus on the processing and interpretation of data rather than on security. Similarly, physical barriers in software development address only a niche aspect of security rather than the overall strategy of protective measures. Therefore, identifying security controls as safeguards or countermeasures effectively captures their function within the field of security.