easyMultiple Choice
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.
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Antivirus software
Why it's wrong here
Antivirus software detects known malware signatures rather than restricting which applications may execute, so it cannot enforce an allowlist of authorised programs. It is tempting because endpoint protection is a familiar security baseline, and it would be the right choice when the requirement is detecting and removing malicious code, not controlling software execution.
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Patch management
Why it's wrong here
Patch management remediates known vulnerabilities in already-installed software; it does not restrict which executables are permitted to run. It is the right control when the requirement is closing exposure to published CVEs on managed endpoints.
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Host-based firewall
Why it's wrong here
A host-based firewall filters network traffic by port, protocol and address; it cannot identify or block locally executed applications. It is the correct control when the requirement is restricting inbound or outbound network connections on a workstation.
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Application whitelisting
Why this is correct
Application whitelisting maintains an approved-software list and blocks execution of anything not on it, directly enforcing the stem's constraint that only authorised software runs on workstations. Blacklisting and antivirus signatures cannot guarantee this, since unknown or newly installed programs remain executable.
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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.