How can physical security controls mitigate risks?

Physical security controls are crucial for safeguarding tangible assets, which include buildings, equipment, and sensitive information. The primary role of these controls is to prevent unauthorized individuals from gaining access to areas where valuable or sensitive assets are located. This is achieved through measures such as surveillance cameras, access control systems, security personnel, and physical barriers.

By effectively implementing these controls, an organization can significantly reduce the risk of theft, vandalism, or damage to its physical assets. For instance, when unauthorized access is prevented, the likelihood of insider threats or opportunistic crime is diminished. This proactive approach not only protects resources but also ensures operational continuity, as the potential for costly disruptions due to theft or vandalism is greatly reduced.

While employee productivity, system performance, and advanced technological solutions are important aspects of an organization's overall success, they do not directly address the mitigation of risks associated with unauthorized access and theft in the physical environment. Thus, the focus on protecting physical assets' security is what makes this answer correct in the context of physical security controls.