Episode 89: Security Control Testing: Manual vs. Automated

Security controls are only effective if they’re working as designed. In this episode, we explore how to test those controls using both manual and automated methods. We compare control validation techniques such as checklists, code reviews, synthetic transactions, vulnerability scanners, and red team exercises. You’ll learn when human judgment is needed, when automation scales better, and how to combine the two for comprehensive testing. As a CISSP, knowing how to assess the effectiveness of physical, technical, and administrative controls is key to maintaining a secure and compliant environment.