What are security metrics used for?

Security metrics are utilized primarily to assess the effectiveness of security controls. They provide quantifiable data that allows organizations to measure how well their security measures are functioning in protecting information and assets against threats. By analyzing these metrics, security professionals can identify strengths and weaknesses within their security infrastructure, enabling informed decisions about where to allocate resources, improve policies, and implement stronger controls. This assessment is crucial for ensuring that security investments are delivering the desired level of protection and compliance with relevant regulations and standards.

The other options, while important in their respective domains, do not align with the primary purpose of security metrics. Options related to marketing strategies, employee effectiveness, and sales revenue focus on operational efficiency or business performance rather than evaluating the security posture of an organization.