A CCTV camera that is not monitored falls into which category of security controls?

A CCTV camera that is not monitored serves primarily as a deterrent. The presence of security cameras can discourage potential malicious actions because individuals are aware that their behavior may be recorded. The knowledge that a camera is actively watching can lead to reduced instances of theft, vandalism, or other criminal acts.

While the camera does provide some level of physical security by recording events (which is a characteristic of physical controls), its unmonitored status means it cannot actively prevent or detect incidents in real time. Instead, its deterrent effect relies on the assumption that potential wrongdoers will think twice about their actions when they see the camera, thus serving as a psychological barrier to misconduct.

In contrast, detective controls would be mechanisms designed to identify and respond to security incidents after they occur, but since the camera is not monitored, it does not fulfill this role effectively. Preventive controls are designed to stop incidents before they happen, and in this case, without monitoring, the CCTV system falls short of this purpose.