Network Defense Essentials (NDE) 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The primary goal of implementing compensating controls is to address and mitigate risks that arise when primary controls are insufficient, ineffective, or unavailable. These compensating controls serve as alternative measures designed to maintain an acceptable level of security despite the weaknesses in the primary controls. Essentially, they help establish a balanced approach to security by providing additional safeguards that can effectively cover the gaps left by the primary controls.

In many scenarios, organizations may find themselves with inadequate primary controls due to a variety of reasons, such as budget constraints or changing operational environments. Compensating controls are a strategic response that enables organizations to protect sensitive information and systems while they work on improving their primary controls. Thus, they represent a pragmatic and flexible approach to risk management in the context of security frameworks.

The other options do not accurately reflect the purpose of compensating controls. For instance, expecting compensating controls to eliminate all potential threats is unrealistic, as no security measure can provide complete protection. Additionally, while compensating controls may contribute to compliance efforts, the primary emphasis is on risk mitigation rather than ensuring compliance strictly for regulatory purposes. Lastly, providing extra layers of protection without analyzing risks does not align with effective security practices, which inherently involve risk assessment to determine appropriate control measures.