Types of Security Controls: A Complete Guide to What They Are and Why They Matter

What Are Security Controls?

Security controls are the safeguards or countermeasures put in place to reduce risks, protect digital assets, and ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability (CIA) of information systems. These controls can be technical (e.g., firewalls), administrative (e.g., security policies), or physical (e.g., biometric access systems), and they are designed to either prevent, detect, correct, or deter security incidents.

Alignment with Industry Frameworks

To implement security controls effectively, organizations often refer to established frameworks such as:

• NIST SP 800-53 (National Institute of Standards and Technology) – A comprehensive catalog of security controls tailored to federal information systems.
• ISO/IEC 27001 – An international standard that helps organizations establish, implement, maintain, and continually improve their information security management systems (ISMS).

These frameworks not only provide structure and best practices but also help businesses meet regulatory requirements and pass compliance audits.

In the sections that follow, we’ll explore the different types of security controls in detail — from how they function to real-world examples — so you can build a resilient and compliant cybersecurity posture.

Classification by Function: What the Control Does

This approach focuses on the purpose of a control within a security environment. Each control type plays a unique role in the cybersecurity lifecycle.

Preventive Controls
These are designed to stop incidents before they happen. They aim to block unauthorized access or risky behavior proactively.
Examples include: firewalls, access control policies, encryption, and employee security training.

Detective Controls
These help identify and alert teams to suspicious or malicious activity. They don’t stop an incident, but they let you know when one occurs.
Examples include: security event logging, intrusion detection systems, audits, and surveillance.

Corrective Controls
Corrective controls come into play after an incident. They aim to fix the issue and reduce the chance of recurrence.
Examples include: system patches, removing malware, and restoring data from backups.

Deterrent Controls
These aren’t always technical but are designed to discourage attackers by creating consequences or raising the perceived risk.
Examples include: warning banners, security policies, and visible cameras.

Recovery Controls
These are focused on getting systems and data back up and running after an incident.
Examples include: disaster recovery plans, system failovers, and restoring from offsite backups.

Compensating Controls
When it’s not possible to implement a primary control due to limitations (budget, technical, etc.), a compensating control offers an alternative safeguard.
Examples include: manual review of logs or alternative monitoring solutions.

Classification by Implementation: How the Control Is Applied

This method of classification focuses on the nature of the control — whether it's driven by people, processes, or technology.

Administrative (Managerial) Controls
These are policies, procedures, and standards that influence how security is managed. They shape the behavior of employees and define response plans.
Examples include: user onboarding/offboarding processes, security awareness training, and compliance checklists.

Technical (Logical) Controls
These involve the use of technology to enforce security, often through software or hardware.
Examples include: antivirus software, multi-factor authentication, encryption, and intrusion prevention systems.

Physical Controls
These are measures put in place to protect physical access to systems, buildings, or devices.
Examples include: locked server rooms, ID badge systems, biometric scanners, and surveillance cameras.

Why This Matters

Understanding both functional and implementation-based classifications isn’t just a technical exercise — it’s a strategic necessity. When you know the purpose of each control and how it works in practice, you can design a more resilient, layered defense system.

For example, a firewall is both a preventive control and a technical control. This dual classification helps organizations evaluate whether it's being used effectively, and whether it's complemented by other controls to address detection, correction, and recovery.

A well-balanced security framework includes a mix of all types - helping ensure that no single point of failure puts the entire organization at risk.

Security controls are designed to protect against various forms of cybercrime - from phishing to ransomware. For a deeper look at how these threats manifest, check out our Ultimate Guide to Cyber Attacks.

A. Preventive Controls

What they do:
Preventive controls are your first line of defense. Their job is to block attacks and unauthorized actions before any damage is done.

Common examples: Firewalls, access control systems, encryption, strong authentication protocols.

Real-world scenario:
Imagine an employee receives a phishing email with a malicious link. A properly configured email security filter (a preventive control) detects the threat and quarantines the message before it reaches the inbox — stopping a potential breach in its tracks.

These controls are all about stopping problems before they start.

B. Detective Controls

What they do:
Detective controls don’t prevent incidents but help identify them when they occur. They provide visibility into what’s happening within your systems.

Common examples: Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS), Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) tools, audit logs.

Use case: Let’s say a cybercrime attempt involves brute-forcing access to your network. While a firewall may miss this subtle intrusion, a SIEM system detects the unusual login behavior and alerts your security team in real-time, enabling a swift response before any damage is done.

These controls are essential for rapid response and continuous monitoring.

C. Corrective Controls

What they do:
When something does go wrong, corrective controls step in to contain the damage and fix the issue.

Common examples: System patches, reconfigurations, restoring data from backups.

Role in disaster recovery:
After a ransomware attack, a company may use corrective controls to remove the malware, patch the exploited vulnerability, and restore critical files from secure backups. These actions are often part of a larger disaster recovery plan that ensures operations can continue with minimal disruption.

Corrective controls are your clean-up crew — vital for damage control.

D. Deterrent Controls

What they do:
Deterrent controls are designed to discourage bad behavior. They don’t block or detect threats directly, but they influence decisions by creating a sense of consequence.

Common examples: Security awareness training, legal disclaimers, warning signs, policy enforcement.

Psychological and compliance value:
Think about CCTV cameras or “This Area is Monitored” signs. Even if no one is actively watching, the knowledge that monitoring is in place often prevents bad actors from attempting anything. Similarly, when employees are trained and know the rules, they’re less likely to engage in risky behavior.

Sometimes, the threat of enforcement is enough to keep things in check.

E. Recovery Controls

What they do:
Recovery controls are focused on restoring operations after a security event. They help organizations bounce back quickly and minimize downtime.

Common examples: Data backups, failover systems, disaster recovery tools, business continuity planning.

How they support resilience:
Let’s say a natural disaster wipes out your main data center. Recovery controls like offsite backups and redundant cloud infrastructure allow your business to resume operations without catastrophic loss.

These controls are essential for organizational survival and continuity.

F. Compensating Controls

What they do:
Compensating controls serve as acceptable alternatives when primary security controls can’t be implemented — usually due to technical, regulatory, or financial limitations.

Why and when to use them:
Not every organization can afford biometric scanners at every door. Instead, video surveillance combined with a strict visitor log policy might serve as a compensating control to meet similar security goals.

Example:
If a company can’t afford electronic access badges for all employees, they might use security cameras and manual check-in logs to monitor access.

Compensating controls aren’t shortcuts — they’re strategic workarounds that help maintain risk management goals when ideal solutions aren’t feasible.

By understanding how each functional control fits into your security strategy, you can ensure you're not just reacting to threats, but actively designing systems that are prepared, responsive, and resilient. In cybersecurity, the best defense is layered — and that starts with knowing the role each layer plays.

A. Administrative Controls

Administrative controls, also known as managerial controls, are policies, procedures, and guidelines put in place to manage human behavior and organizational processes. These controls are foundational — they define expectations, guide decision-making, and enforce compliance.

Key examples:

• Security policies and acceptable use guidelines
• Background checks during hiring processes
• Security awareness and training programs
• Incident response plans and compliance checklists

How they help:
Imagine you have the most advanced firewalls and AI-driven threat detection — but employees are still clicking on phishing emails or sharing passwords. Administrative controls help prevent these kinds of human errors by creating a culture of security awareness and accountability.

B. Technical Controls

Also referred to as logical controls, technical controls involve the use of software and hardware to protect systems and data. These are the tools that enforce security in the digital realm and often act automatically without the need for human intervention.

Key examples:

• Antivirus and anti-malware software
• Multi-factor authentication (MFA)
• Data loss prevention (DLP) tools
• Firewalls and intrusion prevention systems (IPS)
• Encryption protocols

Use in modern architectures:
In cloud environments, technical controls can include identity and access management (IAM), virtual firewalls, and automated monitoring. In Zero Trust architectures, technical controls continuously verify user identity and device posture before granting access — a sharp departure from traditional perimeter-based security.

C. Physical Controls

Physical controls are designed to prevent unauthorized physical access to buildings, hardware, or infrastructure. While often overlooked in digital security conversations, they’re just as important — especially when protecting high-value assets like data centers or critical infrastructure.

Key examples:

• Locked doors and access badges
• Biometric scanners (fingerprint, retina)
• Mantraps (small rooms that control access to secure areas)
• Security guards and surveillance cameras (CCTV)

Real-world application:
In data centers, physical controls are strictly enforced. You might need to pass multiple checkpoints — including ID verification, biometric scans, and badge swipes — before gaining access to server rooms. Even the best digital security can be compromised if someone can just walk in and plug in a malicious USB.

Physical controls protect the infrastructure that supports all your digital systems.

Why This Matters

Each of these control types serves a different purpose, but they work best when used together. For example, a firewall (technical control) is more effective when paired with a policy on internet usage (administrative control) and restricted access to the server room (physical control).

Cybersecurity isn’t about relying on one layer — it’s about creating a multi-layered defense that addresses risk from all angles. Also explore our blog on Top Cybersecurity Skills to Learn in 2025.

Mapping Security Controls to Major Frameworks

Most security frameworks and regulations come with a defined set of control requirements. Here’s how some of the most important ones break down:

NIST SP 800-53
The National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Special Publication 800-53 offers a comprehensive catalog of security and privacy controls for federal systems. It covers everything from access control and incident response to system integrity and contingency planning. Controls are categorized into families, making it easier to design a system with full-spectrum defense.

ISO/IEC 27001 Annex A
This international standard includes a list of 93 controls (as of ISO/IEC 27001:2022) across domains such as organizational security, asset management, cryptography, and physical security. Organizations use these controls to build and maintain an Information Security Management System (ISMS).

PCI-DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard)
PCI-DSS focuses on protecting cardholder data. Its 12 high-level requirements include technical and operational controls like firewall configuration, data encryption, and access control. If your business handles credit card payments, adhering to PCI-DSS is non-negotiable.

HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act)
HIPAA requires healthcare organizations to implement administrative, physical, and technical safeguards to protect electronic Protected Health Information (ePHI). Think of it as a hybrid of compliance and patient privacy regulation that mandates specific types of controls.

Each of these frameworks offers a different perspective based on industry risks, but they all rely on the same foundational concept: applying the right controls in the right places.

Compliance Does Not Equal Security

Here’s a critical truth: Being compliant doesn’t automatically mean you’re secure.

You can meet the minimum requirements of a compliance framework and still be vulnerable to sophisticated attacks. That’s because compliance is often about satisfying auditors or regulators—not proactively defending against real-world threats.

For example:

• A company might encrypt data to meet compliance but store the encryption keys in an unsecured folder.
• You may conduct annual security awareness training to check the compliance box—but that doesn't help if your employees fall for the next phishing email six months later.

What to do about it:

• Treat compliance frameworks as a baseline, not the goal.
• Conduct regular risk assessments to identify gaps between compliance and actual security posture.
• Customize your controls based on evolving threats, not just static checklists.

Security should be adaptive, continuous, and threat-driven—not just compliance-driven.

By aligning your controls with trusted frameworks while going beyond the bare minimum, you build a security program that not only satisfies auditors—but genuinely protects your systems, data, and people.

For more on basic concepts like threats and vulnerabilities, check out our What is Cybersecurity? A Beginner’s Guide.”

Risk Assessment & Threat Modeling

Before you can secure your organization, you need to understand what you’re protecting — and from whom.

Risk assessment helps you identify:

• Your most valuable assets (data, systems, people)
• Potential threats (hackers, insiders, natural disasters)
• Vulnerabilities in your current environment
• The potential impact if something goes wrong

Threat modeling goes a step further by mapping out how an attacker might exploit weaknesses. It’s like running a mental fire drill — imagining possible breach scenarios and figuring out how to block them before they happen.

Once you’ve identified your biggest risks, you can select controls that directly address them — rather than wasting time and budget on low-priority issues.

Business Priorities and Cost Considerations

Security decisions aren’t made in a vacuum — they need to align with your organization’s goals and constraints.

For example:

• A healthcare company handling sensitive patient data might prioritize encryption and access controls.
• A small e-commerce startup may need to focus on PCI-DSS compliance and basic anti-phishing protections.
• A large enterprise with global operations may need advanced monitoring, incident response plans, and robust physical security at data centers.

And of course, budget matters. Not every organization has the resources to deploy cutting-edge AI-driven security tools. That’s where prioritization and cost-benefit analysis come in.

The goal isn’t to spend the most — it’s to spend smart.

Control Testing and Continuous Improvement

Even the best controls can become outdated or ineffective if not regularly tested.

That’s why ongoing evaluation is essential:

• Conduct penetration testing and vulnerability scans to validate your defenses.
• Monitor logs and alerts to ensure your detection tools are actually working.
• Review policies and procedures at least annually (or when major changes occur).

Cyber threats evolve quickly, and your controls should, too. Regular testing, auditing, and tuning keep your security program agile and responsive.

Remember: Security isn’t a one-time project — it’s a continuous process of learning, adapting, and improving.

By taking a risk-based, business-aligned, and proactive approach to control selection, you’ll build a security posture that protects what matters most — without breaking the bank or overcomplicating operations.

How Modern Technologies Are Reshaping Traditional Controls

In the past, controls were easier to place: firewalls guarded the perimeter, access control lists protected internal data, and physical controls secured on-prem servers. But now, with hybrid workforces, multi-cloud environments, and edge computing, controls must be dynamic, scalable, and context-aware.

For example:

• Access controls now extend beyond usernames and passwords to include device posture, location, and real-time risk signals.
• Network segmentation is giving way to microsegmentation in cloud-native environments.
• Perimeter-based security is being replaced with identity- and data-centric approaches.

Security today must be everywhere, all the time—and that's where AI, cloud-native controls, and Zero Trust principles come in.

Role of Automation and AI in Preventive & Detective Controls

Artificial Intelligence is transforming how we implement and manage controls, especially those focused on prevention and detection.

AI-powered preventive controls:

• Dynamic policy enforcement (e.g., adaptive MFA based on behavior)
• Predictive threat modeling using real-time data
• Automated patch management to reduce exploitable vulnerabilities

AI-driven detective controls:

• Smart anomaly detection that learns user and system behavior over time
• Real-time threat hunting using machine learning algorithms
• Faster, more accurate alert prioritization in Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) platforms

The rise of Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response (SOAR) platforms is also a game-changer—allowing security teams to automate repetitive tasks and respond to threats within minutes, not days.

Trends in Cloud-Native Security Controls

As more workloads move to the cloud, so must our controls. But cloud security isn’t just about migrating old tools—it requires controls built for the cloud.

Some emerging trends include:

• Cloud Access Security Brokers (CASBs): Enforce policies across multiple SaaS platforms.
• Cloud-native firewalls and Web Application Firewalls (WAFs): Protect cloud workloads and APIs.
• Infrastructure as Code (IaC) scanning: Ensures misconfigurations are caught before deployment.
• Identity-centric controls: Centralized identity and access management (IAM) across cloud platforms.
• Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA): Verifies every user and device before granting access—no implicit trust, even inside the network.

Modern cloud controls also emphasize visibility. With assets scattered across multiple providers, security teams need a unified view of risks, posture, and compliance—all in real time.

In today’s digital-first world, your controls need to be just as modern as the threats you face. AI, cloud computing, and Zero Trust aren’t just buzzwords—they’re critical tools for building security strategies that are agile, intelligent, and future-proof.

Functional Security Controls

Control Type	Purpose	Examples
Preventive	Block threats before they occur	Firewalls, access control, encryption
Detective	Identify threats or suspicious activity	SIEM, IDS/IPS, audit logs
Corrective	Fix or mitigate after an incident	Patch management, backups, hotfixes
Deterrent	Dissuade bad actors or risky behavior	Security signage, legal policies, training
Recovery	Restore operations post-incident	Disaster recovery plans, backup systems
Compensating	Alternative control when ideal isn’t possible	Video surveillance instead of access badges

Implementation-Based Controls

Control Type	What It Covers	Examples
Administrative	Policies, procedures, and people-focused measures	Security training, background checks, policies
Technical (Logical)	Tech-based protections applied to systems	Antivirus, MFA, DLP, firewalls
Physical	Tangible barriers and access restrictions	CCTV, biometric locks, security guards

Pro Tip:

Understanding how controls function and how they’re implemented helps you cover every layer of your environment — from your cloud platform to your office doors.