What is the primary function of detective controls in cybersecurity?

Detective controls play a crucial role in cybersecurity by focusing on identifying and alerting organizations about ongoing or potential security incidents. These types of controls are designed to monitor systems and networks for signs of security breaches or anomalies. When a security incident occurs, detective controls ensure that the incident is recognized and reported, enabling a prompt response to mitigate damage.

Getting alerts allows security teams to quickly investigate incidents and take necessary actions to protect assets, which is fundamental in minimizing the impact of security breaches. This proactive monitoring contributes significantly to an organization's overall security posture and aids in compliance with various regulatory requirements.

In contrast, the other options primarily serve different purposes: preventing unauthorized access involves preventive controls, aiding in system recovery relates to corrective measures, and discouraging potential attackers typically falls under deterrent controls. Each control type plays a unique role in a comprehensive security strategy, but the primary function of detective controls is indeed to detect and report security incidents.