technical control
What It Means
Technical controls are automated security measures built directly into your technology systems - like software that automatically encrypts data, firewalls that block suspicious traffic, or authentication systems that verify user identity. These controls work automatically in the background without requiring human intervention each time they're needed.
Why Chief AI Officers Care
For AI systems handling sensitive data, technical controls provide consistent, scalable protection that doesn't rely on employees remembering security procedures. They're often required for compliance with regulations like GDPR or HIPAA, and they can prevent costly data breaches that could damage your AI program's reputation and funding.
Real-World Example
An AI training platform automatically encrypts all customer data before storing it, requires multi-factor authentication for data scientists to access sensitive datasets, and logs every data access attempt - all without requiring manual steps from users each time they work with the system.
Common Confusion
People often think technical controls are foolproof, but they're just one layer of security that must work alongside administrative policies and physical security measures to be effective.
Industry-Specific Applications
See how this term applies to healthcare, finance, manufacturing, government, tech, and insurance.
Healthcare: In healthcare, technical controls are critical for protecting patient data and ensuring HIPAA compliance, including auto...
Finance: In finance, technical controls are critical for protecting sensitive financial data and ensuring regulatory compliance w...
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Includes:
- 6 industry-specific applications
- Relevant regulations by sector
- Real compliance scenarios
- Implementation guidance
Technical Definitions
NISTNational Institute of Standards and Technology
"Security controls (i.e., safeguards or countermeasures) for an information system that are primarily implemented and executed by the information system through mechanisms contained in the hardware, software, or firmware components of the system."Source: NIST_SP_800-30_Rev_1
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