Which Preventive Detective And Corrective Controls Would B

84 Which Preventive Detective Andor Corrective Controls Would Best

Identify the most appropriate preventive, detective, and/or corrective controls to mitigate the following cybersecurity threats and vulnerabilities, considering the context of each scenario. Provide a comprehensive analysis that demonstrates understanding of security control categories and their application in real-world situations.

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Addressing cybersecurity threats requires a layered defense strategy that combines preventive, detective, and corrective controls to effectively mitigate risks. Each type of control plays a vital role: preventive controls aim to stop threats before they manifest; detective controls monitor and identify breaches or anomalies; and corrective controls respond to and remediate incidents after they occur. By analyzing specific threat scenarios, one can determine which controls are best suited to enhance organizational security posture.

Scenario a: Employee’s stolen laptop at the airport containing customer personal information

For this scenario, preventive controls are paramount to reduce the risk of data theft, including full disk encryption, strong access controls, and physical security measures such as security cables or lockers. Encrypting the data on the laptop ensures that even if the device is stolen, the information remains unreadable without proper credentials, aligning with principles in the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Special Publication 800-53 (NIST, 2020). Physical controls like security cables or locked storage prevent unauthorized access when the device is unattended. Detective controls, such as remote wipe capabilities and asset tracking, help locate or erase data if theft occurs, while corrective controls facilitate restoring data from backups and strengthening security measures post-incident (Ponemon Institute, 2021).

Scenario b: Employee guessing the payroll supervisor’s password to access the payroll system

This highlights the need for strong authentication controls as preventive measures. Implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA) significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access via credential guessing (Aloul & Dehnee, 2018). Password policies enforcing complexity, regular changes, and account lockout after multiple failed attempts serve as additional preventive controls. Detective controls include login monitoring and intrusion detection systems that alert administrators to suspicious activity. Corrective controls involve immediate password resets, account lockouts, and review of access logs to identify potential malicious activity (Kim et al., 2019).

Scenario c: Remote hacking into a sensitive database using valid credentials while the IT manager was logged in

To mitigate such threats, preventive controls include implementing strong authentication mechanisms, such as MFA, and network segmentation to limit access privileges. Intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDPS) monitor for suspicious activity, while session timeouts and automatic logoffs reduce session hijacking risks. Detective controls involve auditing user activity logs and anomaly detection to identify unauthorized access attempts. Corrective controls include revoking compromised credentials promptly, incident response plans, and forensic analysis to understand breach origins (Zhou et al., 2020).

Scenario d: Employee infected with keystroke logger via phishing email

Preventive controls in this context include employee training on phishing awareness and email filtering stages. Deploying advanced email security solutions that flag malicious attachments and links helps mitigate infection risks (Verzella et al., 2019). Detective controls involve deploying endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools that monitor for malicious activity. Corrective controls encompass removing malware, analyzing the breach, and updating security protocols and employee training to prevent recurrence.

Scenario e: Buffer overflow vulnerability in custom code on the shopping cart feature

Preventive controls involve secure coding practices adhering to principles of input validation, bounds checking, and code reviews to eliminate buffer overflow vulnerabilities (OWASP, 2022). Conducting regular code audits and employing static and dynamic code analysis tools can detect issues before deployment. Detective controls include intrusion detection systems that monitor for abnormal inputs or behaviors. Corrective controls entail patching and updating code, along with incident response procedures to manage exploits, minimizing potential damage (Sources: OWASP, 2022).

Scenario f: SQL injection vulnerability in off-the-shelf e-commerce software

Preventive controls involve ensuring the software utilizes parameterized queries and stored procedures to prevent SQL injection. Regular vulnerability assessments and applying security patches provided by the software vendor keep the system secure. Web application firewalls (WAFs) serve as detective controls to block malicious requests. Corrective controls include promptly applying patches, disabling vulnerable functionalities, and conducting forensic analysis to understand breaches (OWASP Top Ten, 2022).

Scenario g: Unauthorized access via a rogue wireless access point in a retail store

Preventive controls include network security measures such as disabling unused ports, implementing secure Wi-Fi protocols (WPA3), and physically protecting network equipment. Wireless intrusion detection systems (WIDS) monitor for unauthorized access points, facilitating immediate detection. Detective controls involve regular network scans and audits to identify rogue devices. Corrective controls include removing unauthorized devices, updating Wi-Fi configurations, and strengthening physical security to prevent future installations (Cisco, 2019).

Scenario h: Employee plugging in a USB drive infected with keystroke logger

Preventive controls involve disabling auto-run features, implementing endpoint security solutions that block unauthorized device connections, and enforcing policies on removable media use. Employee awareness training to recognize risks associated with unknown devices is critical. Detective controls include monitoring device activity logs, while corrective actions involve scanning and removing malware from affected systems, followed by incident investigations and policy reinforcement (Davis et al., 2020).

Scenario i: Delayed response after a website attack

Detection and response controls are vital here. Establishing a well-defined incident response plan (IRP) with clear communication channels ensures rapid action. Intrusion detection systems should provide real-time alerts, and automated responses can isolate affected systems immediately. Regular training and drills improve response times, reducing damage caused by delays (ISO/IEC 27035, 2016). Moreover, maintaining updated contact lists and escalation procedures enhances incident handling efficiency.

Scenario j: Attacker penetrates via modem installed on employee’s workstation for remote work

Preventive controls include establishing strict policies prohibiting unauthorized hardware installations, securing remote access with VPNs and MFA, and disabling unused modem ports. Network monitoring detects abnormal connection attempts, serving as detective controls. Corrective measures involve removing unauthorized hardware, patching vulnerabilities, and reviewing remote work policies to prevent similar incidents (Coffey & O’Flynn, 2019).

Scenario k: Rogue wireless access point used by attacker in a high-rise office

This attack underscores the importance of physical security controls such as securing wiring closets and restricting access to authorized personnel. Preventive controls include network access controls, segmentation, and disabling unused Wi-Fi ports. Detecting rogue access points through wireless scanning tools is essential. Corrective controls involve removing malicious devices, updating security policies, and reinforcing physical security measures to prevent unauthorized hardware installation (Kassidi et al., 2021).

Overall, implementing a comprehensive security framework that incorporates layered preventive, detective, and corrective controls tailored to each threat scenario significantly enhances organizational resilience against cybersecurity risks. Organizations must continually assess and update controls to adapt to evolving threats, fostering a proactive security culture grounded in best practices and standards.

References

• Aloul, F., & Dehnee, R. (2018). Enhancing Password Security with Multi-factor Authentication. Journal of Cybersecurity, 4(2), 123-135.
• Cisco. (2019). Securing Wireless Networks against Rogue Access Points. Cisco Security White Paper.
• Coffey, T., & O’Flynn, C. (2019). Remote Work Security Challenges and Solutions. International Journal of Information Security, 18(3), 245-260.
• Kim, S., Park, Y., & Lee, J. (2019). Intrusion Detection System for Access Control in Cloud Environments. Journal of Network Security, 15(1), 45-58.
• Kassidi, M., Abnous, M., & Amiri, R. (2021). Physical Security in Wireless Networks: Analyzing Rogue Access Point Threats. IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications, 20(5), 3214-3225.
• НСИТ. (2020). Security and Privacy Controls for Federal Information Systems and Organizations. NIST Special Publication 800-53.
• OWASP. (2022). Top Ten Web Application Security Risks. Open Web Application Security Project.
• Ponemon Institute. (2021). Data Breach Investigations Report. Ponemon Institute LLC.
• Verzella, M., et al. (2019). Email Phishing Detection Techniques: A Review. Computers & Security, 85, 318-340.
• Zhou, Y., et al. (2020). Advanced Persistent Threat Detection in Cloud Systems. Journal of Cloud Computing, 9, 22.