In today’s interconnected world, Australian businesses face a constantly evolving landscape of cyber threats. From opportunistic phishing attacks to sophisticated ransomware campaigns and insider threats, the potential for data breaches, financial loss, and reputational damage is significant. No organisation, regardless of size or industry, is immune. This is where cyber security controls become absolutely vital. They are the fundamental building blocks of any effective cyber security strategy, acting as a multi-layered defence system to protect your valuable data, ensure business continuity, and maintain compliance with Australian regulations.
This article provides a comprehensive guide to the various types of security controls, explaining their purpose, how they work together, and how to implement them effectively within an Australian context. It emphasises the importance of these controls in a robust defence in depth strategy.
What Are Security Controls in Cyber Security?
Security controls are the safeguards or countermeasures put in place to avoid, detect and respond to, counteract, or minimise security risks to physical property, information, computer systems, and other assets. In the realm of cyber security, these controls organisations implement encompass a wide range of mechanisms, policies, procedures, and technologies. Their purpose is multifaceted:
- Preventing Attacks: Stopping cyber threats from succeeding in the first place.
- Detecting Intrusions: Identifying malicious activity that has bypassed preventative measures.
- Responding to Incidents: Containing the damage from a successful attack and restoring systems to normal operation.
- Ensuring Compliance: Meeting legal and regulatory requirements related to data protection and privacy (e.g., the Australian Privacy Act, General Data Protection Regulation GDPR if applicable).
- Protecting Business Continuity: Allowing for the business to continue operations even after a security incident.
Security controls are not a “one-size-fits-all” solution. A robust cyber security strategy requires a layered approach, often referred to as “defence in depth,” where multiple control types work together to provide comprehensive protection. These controls address vulnerabilities at different levels, creating a more resilient security posture.
The Three Main Categories of Security Controls
Security controls are broadly categorised into three main types, each playing a distinct role in a comprehensive security strategy:
Administrative Controls (The “People and Process” Controls)
Administrative controls, also known as procedural controls, are the policies, procedures, and guidelines that define how an organisation manages its security. They focus on the human element of cybersecurity, setting the expectations and rules for employee behaviour and establishing processes for managing risk. They are the foundation upon which other types of security controls are built.
- Examples:
- Cyber Security Policies: Comprehensive documents outlining the organisation’s security rules and expectations, covering topics such as acceptable use of IT resources, data handling, password management, and remote access.
- Incident Response Plans: Detailed procedures for handling security incidents, including steps for detection, containment, eradication, recovery, and post-incident activity. These plans should be regularly tested and updated.
- Security Awareness Training: Regular training for employees on identifying and avoiding cyber threats, such as phishing scams, social engineering, and malware. This is crucial for building a “human firewall.”
- Employee Access Control Policies: Rules that define who has access to what information and systems, based on the principle of least privilege (granting only the access necessary to perform job duties). This includes procedures for onboarding and offboarding employees.
- Third-Party Risk Management: Policies and procedures for assessing and managing the cyber security risks associated with vendors and other third parties who have access to the organisation’s systems or data.
- Background Checks: For employees in sensitive roles such as IT Administrator who has access to critical data, finance staff, legal staff, executives and senior leaders.
Technical Controls (The “Technology” Controls)
Technical controls, also known as logical controls, are the hardware and software solutions used to protect systems and data. They are the technological safeguards that enforce security policies and prevent, detect, and respond to cyber threats.
- Examples:
- Firewalls and Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS): Network security devices that monitor and control network traffic based on predefined security rules, blocking unauthorised access and malicious activity.
- Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Requiring users to provide two or more forms of authentication (e.g., password, one-time code, biometric scan) to verify their identity, significantly reducing the risk of unauthorised access.
- Encryption and Data Masking: Protecting sensitive data by transforming it into an unreadable format (encryption) or obscuring parts of it (masking), making it useless to attackers even if they gain access to it.
- Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR): Software that monitors endpoints (e.g., computers, laptops, mobile devices) for malicious activity, providing real-time threat detection and response capabilities.
- Antivirus/Anti-malware Software: Software that detects and removes malicious software (viruses, worms, Trojans, etc.).
- Data Loss Prevention (DLP): Tools that prevent sensitive data from leaving the organisation’s control, either accidentally or maliciously.
- Vulnerability Scanners: Tools that automatically identify security weaknesses in systems and applications.
Physical Controls (The “Tangible” Controls)
Physical controls are the measures taken to protect physical IT assets and facilities from unauthorised access, theft, damage, or destruction. They are often overlooked in discussions of cyber security, but they are a critical component of a comprehensive security strategy.
- Examples:
- Security Badges and Biometric Access: Controlling access to buildings and secure areas (e.g., server rooms) using identification cards or biometric scanners (fingerprint, facial recognition).
- Surveillance Cameras (CCTV) and Perimeter Security: Monitoring physical premises for suspicious activity and deterring unauthorised entry.
- Server Room Locks and Restricted Access: Limiting physical access to critical IT infrastructure to authorised personnel only.
- Environmental Controls: Protecting IT equipment from environmental hazards such as fire, flood, and extreme temperatures.
- Secure Disposal of Hardware: Ensuring that old or decommissioned hardware is properly disposed of to prevent data breaches.
Functional Types of Security Controls
Beyond the three main categories, security controls can also be classified by their function – what they are designed to do. Understanding these functional types is crucial for implementing security controls effectively and building a layered defence.
Preventive Controls (Stop Attacks Before They Happen)
Preventive controls are designed to prevent security incidents from occurring in the first place. They are the first line of defence, aiming to reduce vulnerabilities and block unauthorised access. These are proactive measures.
- Purpose: To reduce vulnerabilities and prevent unauthorised access.
- Examples:
- Strong Password Policies (requiring complex passwords, regular password changes).
- Secure Coding Practices (writing code that is resistant to common vulnerabilities).
- Employee Training on Phishing Attacks (educating employees to recognise and avoid phishing emails).
- Firewalls and Intrusion Prevention Systems.
- Multi-Factor Authentication.
- Access Control Lists (ACLs).
Detective Controls (Identify and Alert on Security Breaches)
Detective controls are designed to detect security incidents that have bypassed preventive controls. They provide visibility into malicious activity and enable a timely response.
- Purpose: To monitor systems and detect malicious activity in real-time.
- Examples:
- Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) Systems (collecting and analysing security logs from various sources to identify potential threats).
- Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) (monitoring network traffic for suspicious activity and alerting administrators).
- Security Audits and Log Analysis (regularly reviewing system logs to identify anomalies and potential security breaches).
- File Integrity Monitoring (detecting unauthorised changes to critical files).
- Honeypots (decoy systems designed to attract and trap attackers).
Corrective Controls (Respond and Recover from Cyber Incidents)
Corrective controls are designed to respond to security incidents that have occurred and to recover systems and data to their normal state. They are reactive measures, focused on minimising the damage from a successful attack.
- Purpose: To mitigate damage and restore systems after a breach.
- Examples:
- Data Backup and Disaster Recovery Plans (ensuring that data can be restored in the event of data loss or system failure).
- Incident Response Teams (dedicated teams responsible for handling security incidents).
- Patching and System Updates (applying security patches to fix vulnerabilities).
- Malware Removal Tools.
- System Restoration from Backups.
Deterrent Controls (Discourage Cybercriminals and Insider Threats)
Deterrent controls aim to discourage potential attackers (both external and internal) from attempting to compromise the organisation’s security. They increase the perceived risk of getting caught or facing consequences.
- Purpose: To reduce the likelihood of an attack by increasing the risk of detection or consequences.
- Examples:
- Legal Penalties for Cyber Crimes (laws and regulations that impose penalties for cybercrime).
- Warning Banners on Login Screens (informing users that their activity is being monitored).
- Strict Penalties for Policy Violations (clearly defined consequences for employees who violate security policies).
- Visible Security Cameras.
- Security Awareness Training (making employees aware of the risks and consequences of security breaches).
Compensating Controls (Support or Substitute for Missing Controls)
Compensating controls are used when a primary security control is not feasible or cannot be fully implemented. They provide an alternative way to mitigate risk, although they may not be as effective as the primary control. These controls are implemented when the ideal control isn’t practical.
- Purpose: To offset gaps in security when a primary control isn’t feasible.
- Examples:
- Continuous Monitoring in Place of Two-Person Authentication (using continuous monitoring to compensate for the lack of two-person authentication for a particular process).
- Manual Verification for Processes Lacking Automated Security (implementing manual checks and approvals where automated security solutions are not available).
- Increased auditing frequency in the absence of real-time monitoring.
- Data encryption at rest when network segmentation is not possible.
How to Implement an Effective Security Control Strategy
Implementing a robust security control strategy requires a systematic approach:
Conducting a Cyber Security Risk Assessment
The first step is to conduct a thorough risk assessment to identify the organisation’s specific vulnerabilities and threats. This involves:
- Identifying Assets: Determining what needs to be protected (e.g., data, systems, applications, intellectual property).
- Identifying Threats: Identifying potential threats to those assets (e.g., malware, phishing, insider threats, natural disasters).
- Identifying Vulnerabilities: Identifying weaknesses in systems, applications, and processes that could be exploited by threats.
- Assessing Risk: Evaluating the likelihood and potential impact of each threat exploiting a vulnerability.
- Prioritising Risks: Focusing on the risks that pose the greatest threat to the organisation.
Choosing the Right Security Controls for Your Organisation
Once the risks have been identified and prioritised, the next step is to select the appropriate security controls to mitigate those risks. This should be guided by:
- Business Objectives: Aligning security controls with the organisation’s overall business goals and risk appetite.
- Regulatory Requirements: Ensuring compliance with relevant Australian laws and regulations, such as the Privacy Act and the Notifiable Data Breaches scheme, and potentially the GDPR if applicable.
- Industry Best Practices: Following established cyber security frameworks, such as the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) Essential Eight, NIST Cybersecurity Framework, or CIS Controls. ISO 27001 provides a comprehensive framework for establishing an Information Security Management System (ISMS).
- Cost-Benefit Analysis: Selecting controls that provide the best protection for the investment.
Ongoing Monitoring and Improvement
Cyber security is not a one-time project; it’s an ongoing process. Regular monitoring and improvement are essential to maintain an effective security posture. This includes:
- Regular Security Audits and Vulnerability Assessments: Periodically assessing the effectiveness of security controls and identifying new vulnerabilities.
- Employee Awareness and Continuous Training Programmes: Keeping employees up-to-date on the latest threats and best practices.
- Incident Response Drills: Regularly testing and refining incident response plans.
- Staying Informed About Emerging Threats: Monitoring threat intelligence feeds and staying abreast of new attack techniques.
- Using Managed Security Services for Enhanced Monitoring: Partnering with a managed security service provider (MSSP) like IT Networks for 24/7 monitoring, threat detection, and incident response.
Challenges in Implementing Cyber Security Controls
Several challenges can hinder the effective implementation of cyber security controls:
- Cost vs. Security Balance: Finding the right balance between investing in security and managing budget constraints.
- Keeping Up with Evolving Cyber Threats: The cyber threat landscape is constantly changing, requiring organisations to adapt their security controls accordingly.
- User Compliance: Ensuring that employees and third parties adhere to security policies and procedures can be difficult. A strong security culture is essential.
- Complexity: Managing a complex array of security controls can be challenging, especially for organisations with limited IT resources.
- Integration: Integrating various security controls with existing IT systems can be complex.
Cyber security controls are the cornerstone of a robust defence against the ever-present threat of cyberattacks in Australia. A layered approach, incorporating preventative, detective, corrective, deterrent, and compensating controls, is crucial for achieving defence in depth. By understanding the different types of security controls and how these controls are implemented effectively, Australian businesses can significantly reduce their security risk, protect their valuable assets, ensure business operations are secure, and maintain compliance with relevant regulations. It is essential that controls organisations implement address the evolving needs of the business.
Contact IT Networks, the leading managed IT company in Australia, for a security consultation to assess your current cyber security posture and discuss how our IT security specialists can help you implement a comprehensive and effective security control strategy tailored to your specific needs.
