Detective Controls in Cybersecurity

Detective controls are security mechanisms designed to identify, monitor, and alert organizations to suspicious activities or security breaches. Unlike preventive controls, which aim to block threats before they occur, detective controls detect and report incidents after they happen, allowing for timely investigation and response.

Functions of Detective Controls

Threat Detection – Identify unusual or unauthorized activities.

Continuous Monitoring – Track system behavior to detect anomalies.

Incident Analysis – Gather data for forensic investigations.

Alerting & Reporting – Notify administrators of potential security issues.

Examples of Detective Controls

- Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) – Monitor network traffic for signs of cyberattacks.

- Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) – Aggregate and analyze logs to detect threats.

- Audit Logs & Activity Monitoring – Track user actions and system changes.

- Antivirus & Endpoint Protection – Identify malware and suspicious file modifications.

- CCTV & Surveillance Systems – Monitor physical security and restricted areas.

- Honeypots – Deploy decoy systems to attract and analyze unauthorized access attempts.

Advantages of Detective Controls

Early Threat Identification – Detects security breaches before they escalate.

Enhanced Incident Response – Provides real-time alerts for quick action.

Regulatory Compliance – Helps organizations meet legal and industry standards.

Forensic Capabilities – Collects data for investigating security incidents.