Core Capability 3: Impact Simulation

This is the third of five core capabilities. After identifying what to deploy (Gap Analysis), Impact Simulation tests controls against real activity to predict impact and plan exceptions.

PSPM tests preventive controls against real cloud activity before enforcement:

Audit log analysis queries cloud audit logs (CloudTrail, Azure Activity Log, GCP Cloud Logging) to identify API calls or configurations that would have been blocked if the preventive control existed. This reveals impact without risk.

Affected user identification shows which teams, workflows, and identities would be affected by enforcement. PSPM maps blocked actions to specific users and applications, enabling targeted communication.

Pattern detection identifies when blocked actions occur. Some might be one-time experiments. Others might be regular workflows requiring exceptions or process changes. Understanding patterns informs deployment strategy.

Exception prediction distinguishes legitimate use cases from security risks. Some blocked actions represent valid business requirements. Others are misconfigurations that should be prevented. Simulation helps teams plan exceptions before enforcement.

Simulation reports package findings for stakeholders: how many actions would be blocked, which teams are affected, what exceptions are recommended, and what risk reduction to expect.

Impact simulation enables the Simulate practice - testing controls before deployment to build confidence and identify exceptions.