What is the focus of preventive controls in information security?

Preventive controls in information security are primarily designed to stop breaches before they occur. This approach focuses on implementing measures and practices that reduce the likelihood of security incidents happening in the first place. These can include various strategies such as access controls, firewalls, intrusion prevention systems, encryption, and security training for employees.

By proactively addressing potential vulnerabilities and threats, preventive controls aim to create a robust defense mechanism that reduces risks, supports compliance with security policies, and safeguards sensitive data from unauthorized access or harm. This proactive stance is fundamental to a comprehensive security strategy, as it helps organizations establish a solid foundation that minimizes the need for reactive measures.

In contrast, other aspects such as identifying breaches, managing incident response, and documenting incidents relate to reactive measures that come into play after a security event has occurred, highlighting the importance of having a dual-layered approach that includes both preventive and responsive strategies.