Compensating controls are alternative security measures put in place when the preferred or standard security controls are not feasible due to technical, financial, or operational constraints. These controls provide an equivalent or comparable level of risk mitigation and help organizations comply with security standards or regulations. Examples include enhanced monitoring, additional authentication steps, or manual procedures that offset the absence of an ideal control. Compensating controls must be thoroughly documented, justified, and regularly reviewed to ensure their effectiveness. They are commonly used in compliance frameworks like PCI DSS when organizations cannot meet a specific requirement directly, ensuring that security objectives are still achieved.