What are preventive controls designed to accomplish?

Preventive controls are specifically designed to minimize the chances of risks materializing. They accomplish this by implementing measures that deter or prevent potential incidents before they occur. This proactive approach is a fundamental component of risk management, ensuring that organizations can identify vulnerabilities in their processes and systems, and address them before they lead to adverse outcomes.

For example, if a company has a preventive control in place such as a robust cybersecurity protocol, it reduces the likelihood of data breaches by mitigating vulnerabilities that could be exploited by malicious entities. By focusing on prevention, organizations not only safeguard their assets but also create a more secure and stable operational environment.

While the other choices relate to aspects of risk management, they do not capture the primary function of preventive controls. Analyzing historical incident reports relates more to understanding past occurrences rather than preventing future risks. Preparing for immediate responses pertains to reactive measures, which come into play after an incident has occurred. Increasing employee awareness of risks supports a culture of safety but is not the primary aim of preventive controls, which focus on actively reducing the likelihood of those risks happening in the first place.