Controls & Assurance

What are controls & assurance - and why they matter?

Controls and assurance ensure that risks are managed effectively and that mitigation measures are working as intended. Controls reduce the likelihood or impact of risks, while assurance provides confidence that these controls are designed and operating effectively. Without this, organisations may have a false sense of security - believing risks are managed when controls are weak, ineffective, or not consistently applied.

Common challenges

Controls are often poorly defined, inconsistently applied, or not regularly tested. In many cases, organisations rely on informal processes rather than structured control frameworks. Assurance is frequently fragmented, with unclear roles across the three lines of defence. This can lead to duplication, gaps in coverage, and limited confidence in the control environment.

What good looks like

Controls are clearly defined, consistently applied, and regularly assessed for effectiveness. There is a clear link between risks, controls, and mitigation actions. Assurance is structured, with clear roles and responsibilities, providing independent and objective oversight. Issues are identified early, and remediation is tracked through to completion.

Our approach

• Conduct gap analysis to assess current maturity against industry standards
• Define clear control frameworks aligned to key risks
• Establish structured control testing and assessment
• Implement RCSAs where appropriate
• Clarify roles across the three lines model
• Strengthen assurance and reporting mechanisms