What is a common issue addressed by compensating controls?

Compensating controls are security measures put in place to mitigate risks associated with deficiencies in existing controls. In this context, one common issue that compensating controls address is outdated operating systems. Outdated systems often present significant security risks because they may lack necessary updates or patches that protect against the latest threats. When standard control measures, such as regular updates and patch management, are not feasible—due to budget constraints, compatibility issues, or legacy systems—organizations implement compensating controls to reduce the risk.

Compensating controls can involve various strategies, such as deploying additional monitoring, increasing access controls, or implementing network segmentation to isolate the outdated systems from more critical components. These controls provide a temporary layer of security until the underlying issues can be resolved, demonstrating a proactive approach to risk management in the face of vulnerabilities created by system obsolescence. Now, while insufficient training, unpatched vulnerabilities, and non-compliance with standards are serious concerns, they are typically handled through different strategies rather than through compensating controls specifically aimed at operating system security issues.