Effectiveness Reviews
Implementing security controls is only half the job. The real question is: are they reducing risk? Our effectiveness review system helps you evaluate control performance, gather evidence, and make data-driven decisions about continuing, modifying, or replacing your security measures.
Systematic Reviews
Never miss a control effectiveness review
Track when effectiveness reviews are due based on control criticality and your organization's risk tolerance. High-risk controls might be reviewed quarterly, while lower-risk controls are reviewed annually. Set next review dates to ensure regular assessment schedules, and create tasks to assign review responsibilities to specific team members.
Evaluation Framework
Follow a consistent approach to measure effectiveness
Effectiveness assessments follow a structured process to ensure consistency. Reviewers assess whether the control is still in place, being applied as intended, and actually reducing the target risk. The system tracks effectiveness status (Effective, Partially Effective, Ineffective, Not Assessed) along with detailed notes explaining the assessment rationale and any supporting evidence gathered.
Data-driven Decisions
Replace assumptions with evidence
Reviews pull together quantitative and qualitative evidence to evaluate control performance. Look at incident rates related to the controlled risk, survey results from affected teams, compliance metrics, and worker feedback. Compare current data to baseline measurements from before the control was implemented to see if conditions have actually improved.
Decision points
Make informed decisions about your controls
Based on review findings, update the control's effectiveness status and document your assessment. If a control is working well (Effective), schedule the next review and continue monitoring. If improvements are needed (Partially Effective), create tasks to address identified gaps. If a control isn't working (Ineffective), create tasks for major improvements or control replacement. All assessments are timestamped and tracked for audit purposes.
Continuous Improvement
Track control performance over time
Every review becomes part of a permanent history for that control. See how effectiveness has changed over time, what modifications were made, and whether performance is improving or declining. Use this historical data to identify which types of controls work best for which risks, and apply those lessons to future control selection.
Ready to move from assumed to demonstrated effectiveness?
Stop assuming your controls are working and start measuring their actual impact. With Refresh, you'll have a systematic approach to effectiveness reviews that keeps your risk ratings current and your security program continuously improving.
