Control Coverage Gap

A Control Coverage Gap is a situation where security controls fail to adequately protect against specific threats or vulnerabilities within an organization's attack surface.

These gaps occur when existing security measures leave certain assets, processes, or attack vectors insufficiently defended, creating potential entry points for malicious actors.

Control coverage gaps can arise from several factors, including incomplete risk assessments, outdated security policies, technological blind spots, or inadequate implementation of security frameworks. For example, an organization might have robust endpoint protection but lack sufficient network segmentation controls, leaving lateral movement pathways exposed. Similarly, cloud migration efforts often create temporary gaps when traditional on-premises controls don't translate effectively to cloud environments.

Identifying these gaps requires continuous security assessments, threat modeling, and gap analysis exercises that map existing controls against known threat vectors and regulatory requirements. Organizations typically address coverage gaps through control enhancement, implementation of compensating controls, or acceptance of residual risk based on business priorities. Regular reviews ensure that new gaps don't emerge as the threat landscape evolves or business operations change.