Overview
Controls (or barriers) are measures used to manage risk within a BowTie model.
They are divided into two types:
Prevention Controls
Prevention controls are placed on the left side of the BowTie.
They are designed to:
- Stop threats from causing the top event
- Eliminate or reduce the likelihood of risk
Example:
- Maintenance procedures
- Safety checks
Recovery Controls
Recovery controls are placed on the right side of the BowTie.
They are designed to:
- Reduce the impact after the top event occurs
- Limit the severity of consequences
Example:
- Emergency response systems
- Safety equipment
Key Difference
| Prevention Controls | Recovery Controls |
| Stop the event | Reduce impact |
| Before top event | After top event |
Summary
Together, prevention and recovery controls provide a complete risk management strategy, addressing both causes and outcomes.