Which term describes controls that require human behavior to implement?

Behavioral controls specifically refer to the type of controls that rely on human decision-making, actions, or behaviors to be effective. These controls are designed to influence how individuals act in a given environment, particularly regarding compliance with policies, procedures, and regulations. The effectiveness of behavioral controls often hinges on training, awareness, and the overall culture of an organization.

In the context of risk management, behavioral controls are integral because they help in fostering a risk-aware culture where individuals understand their roles and responsibilities in mitigating risks. This can include actions such as following safety protocols, reporting suspicious activities, or adhering to data protection measures. These elements are critical in ensuring that policies are not only in place but actively followed by staff.

Other types of controls, such as physical, administrative, and engineering controls, focus more on tangible, structural, or procedural measures rather than human behavior itself. While those controls are important for an overall security framework, they do not inherently rely on individual actions to be successful in the same way that behavioral controls do. Thus, the distinction lies in the human element that is central to behavioral controls, highlighting their importance in risk management strategies.