What can be expected when a key control is maintained at an optimal level?

When a key control is maintained at an optimal level, the primary expected outcome is a balance between control effectiveness and cost. This means that the organization manages to implement controls that effectively mitigate risks while ensuring that the costs associated with these controls do not outweigh the benefits they provide. Achieving this balance is crucial because it allows organizations to protect their assets and comply with regulations without overextending their resources.

Maintaining controls optimally ensures that the measures in place are not just adequate but are also functionally efficient. This efficiency prevents resource wastage and helps organizations focus on enhancing their overall security posture without incurring unnecessary expenses. By optimizing control levels, organizations can better allocate their budgets and prioritize their security efforts based on risk levels and organizational needs.

In contrast, other choices may not directly address the core aspect of cost-effectiveness in control maintenance. For example, while having a shorter lead time until a control breach surfaces can be beneficial, it does not inherently relate to maintaining controls optimally in terms of balancing effectiveness and cost. Similarly, while an adequate maturity level of the risk management process and an accurate estimation of operational risk amounts are important, they are more outcomes of a mature risk management approach rather than direct benefits of optimal control levels.