Final answer:
Among the top 20 controls impacting system security, the most significant include Inventory and Control of Hardware Assets, Inventory and Control of Software Assets, and Continuous Vulnerability Management due to their foundational roles in understanding and securing the network environment.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question pertains to which of the top 20 controls impact system security the most. To answer, it's essential to reference the CIS (Center for Internet Security) Controls, which are frequently used to improve cyber defense. The top 20 controls provide a prioritized approach to securing your organization against cyber threats. Among these controls, three generally stand out as having the most significant impact on system security:
- Inventory and Control of Hardware Assets: Knowing what devices are connected to your network is critical for security. You can't protect what you don't know exists.
- Inventory and Control of Software Assets: Unauthorized software can introduce vulnerabilities. Controlling and assessing all software on networks is vital for reducing the risk of a security breach.
- Continuous Vulnerability Management: Regularly identifying, assessing, and mitigating vulnerabilities means attackers have less opportunity to exploit flaws in your system.
These controls are foundational because they help organizations understand their environments and identify weaknesses before they can be exploited. Additionally, maintaining accurate inventories of hardware and software assets allows for better management of resources, supporting the effectiveness of other security controls.