What should be considered when determining the effectiveness of security controls?

When determining the effectiveness of security controls, focusing on the level of residual risk remaining is essential. Residual risk refers to the amount of risk that remains after security controls have been implemented. This measure offers insight into how well the controls are functioning in mitigating identified risks.

By assessing residual risk, organizations can identify gaps in their security measures or areas that may need further enhancement. If the residual risk is still significant, it may indicate that the implemented controls are insufficient or not properly aligned with the threats the organization faces.

In contrast, considering potential future incidents can offer a predictive approach but may not reflect the current state of security effectiveness. Past incidents of breaches provide historical data but may not encompass the totality of the existing security posture or current vulnerabilities. The availability of advanced technologies is important, but it does not necessarily correlate with the efficacy of the current security controls in place. Thus, evaluating residual risk provides a practical and focused measurement of security control effectiveness.