The Two Pillars of a Secure Business: Administrative vs. Technical Controls

In the world of IT security, I often see business owners make the same mistake: they buy a "magic" piece of software and assume the job is done. Another error is they write a 50-page handbook that everyone signs but nobody reads, and assume they are compliant.

At Dornbusch Computing, we focus on a "Battle Plan" approach. To reach a secure "end state"—where your team is productive and your data is safe—you need two distinct forces working together: Administrative Controls and Technical Controls.

What are Administrative Controls?

Think of these as your "Rules of Engagement." These are the human-centric policies, procedures, and guidelines that define how your business operates.

• The Policy: "We do not allow gambling on company devices."

• The Training: Teaching employees why these sites are high-risk (malware, productivity loss).

• The Discipline: What happens if someone breaks the rule.

Administrative controls are the "Why" and the "Who." They set the expectation, but on their own, they have no teeth. You are relying entirely on the "Honor System."

What are Technical Controls?

Technical controls are your "Digital Barriers." These are the hardware and software solutions that enforce your rules automatically, without needing a human to intervene.

• The Tool: A business-class antivirus or a firewall with Web Content Filtering.

• The Action: When an employee clicks on a gambling link, the software intercepts the request and displays a "Block" page.

• The Result: The threat is neutralized before it even reaches the computer.

Why You Can’t Have One Without the Other

Relying on just one of these is like having a locked door but no key, or a key but no door. Let’s look at your Web Filtering example to see how they work in tandem to reach your "End State."

The Scenario: Blocking High-Risk Sites (like Gambling)

If you only have the Administrative rule ("Don't go to these sites"), a single curious click from an employee can lead to a ransomware infection. The rule was there, but the enforcement was missing.

If you only have the Technical control (the software filter) without a policy, your employees will feel micromanaged and frustrated. They’ll try to find "workarounds" or use personal hotspots to bypass your security because they don't understand the why behind the restriction.

The Dornbusch Approach to the End State:

1. Administrative: We help you establish a "Acceptable Use Policy" that clearly states gambling sites are off-limits due to high malware signatures.

2. Technical: We deploy a business-class antivirus with active web filtering.

3. The Result: Your policy is now self-enforcing. If an employee makes a mistake, the software catches it. The business stays secure, the owner stays compliant, and the "End State" of a clean, professional network is maintained.

The Bottom Line

Security isn't just about the software you buy; it's about the strategy behind it. Technical controls provide the "muscle," but Administrative controls provide the "brain."

If your business has the rules but lacks the tools—or has the tools but no clear policy—you have a gap in your armor.