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SSCP Practice Question: A security administrator is tasked with ensuring…
A security administrator is tasked with ensuring that only authorized software can run on company workstations. Which security control should be implemented?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many candidates confuse 'preventing unauthorized software' with 'detecting malware,' leading them to choose antivirus software, but the question specifically asks for a control that ensures only authorized software can run, which requires a default-deny approach like application whitelisting rather than a detection-based tool.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Application whitelisting
Application whitelisting is the correct control because it explicitly defines a list of approved software that is allowed to execute on workstations. This prevents unauthorized or malicious software from running, even if it bypasses other defenses, by enforcing a default-deny policy at the operating system level (e.g., via Windows AppLocker or Software Restriction Policies). Unlike antivirus, which relies on signatures to detect known threats, whitelisting blocks unknown or unapproved executables by default.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Antivirus software
Why it's wrong here
Antivirus detects known malware but does not prevent execution of unauthorized software.
- ✗
Patch management
Why it's wrong here
Patch management keeps software updated but does not control which software runs.
- ✗
Host-based firewall
Why it's wrong here
Firewall controls network traffic, not software execution.
- ✓
Application whitelisting
Why this is correct
Whitelisting ensures only approved software can run, directly meeting the requirement.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This SSCP practice question is part of Courseiva's free ISC2 certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the SSCP exam.