What is a security control objective?

A security control objective is defined as a specific goal that a security control is designed to achieve. This concept is integral to cybersecurity because it provides a clear target and measure for the effectiveness of the implemented controls. When designing security controls, organizations establish objectives to mitigate risks, protect assets, or comply with regulations. For instance, a control objective might be to ensure confidentiality, integrity, or availability of data.

By clearly defining these objectives, organizations can assess whether their security measures are functioning as intended, contributing to an overall risk management strategy. This clarity helps in aligning security controls with the organization’s broader mission and regulatory requirements, ensuring that necessary protections are in place.

While auditing practices, data retention policies, and descriptions of user access rights are important elements of a comprehensive security strategy, they do not specifically capture the goal-oriented nature of security control objectives. Each of these components serves different purposes within the security framework and is supportive but not the defining characteristic of what constitutes a security control objective.