What is the primary purpose of a Security Control Assessment (SCA)?

The primary purpose of a Security Control Assessment (SCA) is to ensure that the security controls put in place to protect an information system are effective in mitigating risks and safeguarding the system as intended. An SCA involves a comprehensive evaluation of the security controls, including their design, implementation, and operational effectiveness, to determine whether they meet the required security standards and policies.

This process entails reviewing documentation, conducting interviews, and testing controls to verify that they function properly and provide the necessary protection against threats. By systematically assessing the effectiveness of these controls, organizations can identify any weaknesses or deficiencies that need remediation, thus maintaining a robust security posture.

Other options, while related to security management, do not describe the primary goal of an SCA. Implementing new security policies focuses on the creation or revision of policies rather than assessment. Conducting security training sessions pertains to raising awareness and educating staff about security practices, which is not the aim of an SCA. Conducting risk assessments is about identifying and evaluating risks to determine how they can impact the organization, but it is a different process from the focused evaluation of existing security controls that is the hallmark of an SCA.