SSCP Systems and Application Security Practice Question
An organization is hardening a new Windows server for production use. Which of the following is the most effective method to ensure that only approved applications can run?
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
✓
Configure AppLocker or Windows Defender Application Control
AppLocker or Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC) provide application whitelisting, ensuring only approved executables, scripts, and installers run. UAC controls privilege elevation, not execution. Windows Defender Antivirus detects malware but does not enforce whitelisting. BitLocker provides full-disk encryption, not application control.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Enable BitLocker drive encryption
Why it's wrong here
BitLocker encrypts data at rest, not application execution.
- ✗
Enable User Account Control (UAC)
Why it's wrong here
UAC prompts for elevation but does not control which applications can execute.
- ✓
Configure AppLocker or Windows Defender Application Control
Why this is correct
AppLocker and WDAC enforce whitelisting of approved applications.
- ✗
Install Windows Defender Antivirus
Why it's wrong here
Antivirus detects malware but does not prevent execution of unapproved software.
Go deeper
Related to this question
About these practice questions
Courseiva writes every SSCP question from scratch — 920 in total, each with an explanation and a wrong-answer breakdown. None are copied from real exams or dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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.