Enterprise risk & controls · Working
Compensating control
Also called: mitigating control
ELI5
An alternative control used when the preferred control is unavailable or insufficient.
Used in conversation
“The board will ask what happens if compensating control moves outside tolerance.”
Pitch context
You will see “Compensating control” in board papers, contracts, policies, risk registers and compliance reports when the discussion reaches enterprise risk & controls.
Why it matters: In enterprise risk & controls, a loose definition can change rights, obligations, approval, disclosure or enforceability.
Caution
Meaning, enforceability and required process vary by jurisdiction and agreement; this definition is not legal advice.
Sources & evidence · 3
Direct term-level sources and supporting source families.
- OECD — G20/OECD Principles of Corporate Governance 2023Direct source · institutional · checked 2026-08-16
- National Institute of Standards and Technology — Computer Security Resource Center GlossaryDirect source · primary · checked 2026-08-16
- U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission — EDGAR and filing resourcesSupporting source family · primary · checked 2026-08-16