Which process compensates for a deficiency in existing controls?

Compensating controls are specifically designed to provide alternative safeguards that address a weakness or deficiency in existing security controls. When primary controls are inadequate, compensating controls serve to reduce risk to an acceptable level, ensuring that the organization’s security posture remains robust even if certain measures are not fully effective.

These controls may take various forms, such as additional security measures, enhanced monitoring, or even procedural changes that are not part of the standard control framework. Their primary aim is to maintain security integrity when other measures fall short, thereby ensuring compliance with security standards and protecting sensitive information.

While risk assessment involves identifying and evaluating risks, and risk mitigation pertains to strategies aimed at reducing risk, these processes do not directly address existing control deficiencies. Patching, on the other hand, focuses on fixing vulnerabilities in software or systems rather than serving as a robust alternative control strategy. Thus, compensating controls are specifically tailored to provide the necessary safeguards in lieu of traditional controls that might not sufficiently address a given risk.