What is a security control?

A security control refers to measures that are implemented to reduce risks and to protect assets within an organization. This can encompass a wide array of strategies, tools, protocols, and practices that are designed to mitigate potential threats and vulnerabilities.

By defining a security control in this way, it becomes clear that its main purpose is to safeguard information and technology assets from various types of security risks, including unauthorized access, data breaches, and other malicious activities. Controls can be technical (like firewalls and encryption), administrative (like policies and procedures), or physical (like surveillance systems and locks).

The other choices do not accurately capture the essence of a security control. Gathering information through software does not inherently relate to risk mitigation or asset protection. Procedures enhancing physical security represent a subset of security controls but do not encompass the broader concept. Lastly, a specific type of malware does not qualify as a security control; rather, it constitutes a threat that security controls would aim to defend against. Thus, the selection that correctly embodies what a security control is, highlights the preventative measures taken to safeguard valuable resources.