What are Security Controls?
Definition
Technical and procedural safeguards implemented to protect data, systems, and infrastructure from unauthorized access, breaches, and threats. Security controls include access management (MFA, RBAC), data protection (encryption at rest and in transit), network security (firewalls, intrusion detection), application security (secure coding, vulnerability scanning), and operational controls (incident response, security monitoring). RFP security questions should probe specific control implementations rather than accepting generic 'we take security seriously' responses.
Why This Matters
Generic security claims like 'we take security seriously' provide no assurance. Your RFP must probe specific controls: encryption standards (AES-256), access management (MFA, RBAC), network security (firewalls, IDS), monitoring (SIEM), and incident response procedures. Security control specificity reveals vendor maturity and enables meaningful comparison. Vague security responses should trigger deeper investigation or vendor elimination.
Related Terms
Showing semantically related terms from our RFP knowledge graph. Priority connections are highlighted.
Essential Connections
Data Security
Security & Compliance
Protection of information from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction through encryption, access controls, monitoring, and security policies.
Access Control
Security & Compliance
Security mechanisms restricting system access based on user roles, permissions, and authentication including single sign-on, multi-factor authentication, role-based access control, and least privilege principles.
Data Encryption
Security & Compliance
Converting data into coded format using algorithms to prevent unauthorized access.
Security Compliance
Security & Compliance
Adherence to security standards, certifications, and regulatory requirements to protect data and systems.
Security Audit
Security & Compliance
Independent examination of security controls, policies, and practices verifying compliance with standards like SOC 2, ISO 27001, or industry regulations.
Multi-Factor Authentication
Security & Compliance
Security process requiring two or more verification factors (knowledge, possession, inherence) to access systems.
Security Questions
RFP Fundamentals
20-40 RFP questions assessing data encryption, access controls, compliance certifications, incident response, backup procedures, and vulnerability management.
Security Standards
Security & Compliance
Industry frameworks for security practices and controls, such as NIST Cybersecurity Framework, CIS Controls, and ISO 27001.
SOC 2
Security & Compliance
Service Organization Control 2 - an auditing standard for security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy of customer data in cloud services.
Showing 9 semantically related terms ·Browse all 200 terms
Related RFP Templates
Explore our top RFP templates - all 75 templates include questions about security controls