Hey folks,
Just wanted to share a quick breakdown I put together about when detective controls are actually needed. For anyone working in IT, security, or even compliance, this can help you understand where these controls fit in.
Detective controls are super important in any solid risk management or cybersecurity setup. They’re not about preventing incidents but rather about identifying and detecting things after they happen. This way, you can respond in time and avoid further damage.
Here are some real-world situations where detective controls make sense:
- Suspicious Network Activity Detection
If your network is being scanned or attacked by unauthorized users or malware, a detective control like an intrusion detection system (IDS) is essential. It monitors traffic, flags anything unusual, and alerts your team.
- Employee Misconduct Monitoring
Inside threats are real. If you’re managing sensitive data, tools like audit trails and access logs are important detective controls. They help detect unauthorized actions, support investigations, and promote accountability.
- Financial Fraud Detection
For businesses handling lots of transactions, reconciliation reports and transaction monitoring systems are used to uncover any financial fraud or odd accounting entries after they occur.
- Regulatory Compliance Checks
Industries like healthcare, banking, or anything that deals with personal data must stay compliant. Detective controls like audit logs and regular reviews help identify violations and provide documentation for audits.
- Malware Infection Tracking
When malware slips through defenses, antivirus and endpoint detection tools work as detective controls. They identify infections and report malicious activity, so you can respond fast.
- Access Log Review After a Breach
If a breach occurs, reviewing access logs helps determine what happened and how. This detective control is vital for tracing back the source, fixing the gap, and strengthening defenses.
Hope this helps someone trying to understand when and why these controls are used. Feel free to add your thoughts or share tools you’re using in these scenarios.