Episode 34 — Apply compensating controls correctly and document convincingly
Compensating controls permit an alternative when a specific requirement cannot be met as written, but the bar is high and the exam expects rigor. Begin by stating the gap clearly, including the business or technical constraint and the risk it introduces. Then present a control or set of controls that together meet the intent of the original requirement and provide equal or greater protection, documented with a formal analysis of how threats are mitigated. Evidence must include design details, implementation records, measurable outcomes, and approval by appropriate governance roles. Stress that compensating controls are temporary, reviewed periodically, and retired once the original requirement becomes feasible or the environment changes. Distinguish these from the Customized Approach, which is planned design, not a workaround, and from exceptions, which acknowledge risk but are not substitutes for control.
Examples keep the principles grounded. A legacy payment terminal cannot support modern cipher suites; an acceptable compensating package may route traffic through a hardened, monitored proxy that enforces protocol strength and isolates the device, backed by logs and periodic verification. A specialized appliance cannot run a standard endpoint agent; alternative monitoring and change control around the device, plus network-level restrictions, can offer equivalent outcomes if configured and proven. Weak cases rely on promises to monitor manually or assume obscure attack paths will not be attempted. Troubleshooting involves drift over time, stale approvals, and non-measurable statements in documentation. On the exam, choose answers that present specific, layered defenses, tie them to the requirement’s intent, and provide repeatable testing and review so an assessor can verify equivalence without guessing. Produced by BareMetalCyber.com, where you’ll find more cyber audio courses, books, and information to strengthen your educational path. Also, if you want to stay up to date with the latest news, visit DailyCyber.News for a newsletter you can use, and a daily podcast you can commute with.
