Security Controls Matrix
Every control has a TYPE (how it's implemented) and a FUNCTION (what it does). Here's the full 3 × 3.
Preventive
Stop threats
Detective
Identify incidents
Corrective
Fix & recover
| Control type | Preventive | Detective | Corrective |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physical |
|
|
|
| Technical |
|
|
|
| Administrative |
|
|
|
How they interlace
Every control has both a type (how it's implemented) and a function (what it does). For example:
- A firewall is a Technical control with a Preventive function.
- CCTV cameras are Physical controls with a Detective function.
- Incident response teams are Administrative controls with a Corrective function.
Key integration points
- Defense in depth: use multiple control types for each function.
- Comprehensive coverage: make sure all 9 cells have appropriate controls.
- Control dependencies: some rely on others (e.g. SIEMs need logs).
- Risk-based selection: choose controls based on your risk profile.
- Regular review: periodically assess the matrix for gaps.