SSCP Systems and Application Security Practice Question
An organization is hardening its Windows servers. Which built-in Windows feature can be used to enforce application whitelisting, ensuring only approved executables run?
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates often confuse access control features like UAC or antivirus with application whitelisting; candidates may think UAC restricts applications, but it only controls elevation, not execution.
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
✓
AppLocker
AppLocker is a Windows built-in feature introduced in Windows 7 and Server 2008 R2 that allows administrators to create and enforce rules specifying which applications and files users can run. It uses a whitelisting model based on file attributes such as publisher, path, or hash, and can be configured via Group Policy or PowerShell cmdlets. By default, AppLocker blocks any executable not explicitly allowed, thus ensuring only approved executables run. This directly meets the requirement for application whitelisting on Windows servers.
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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BitLocker
Why it's wrong here
BitLocker encrypts volumes at rest to prevent offline data theft; it places no restriction on which executables may launch once Windows is running. It is tempting because it is a built-in hardening control, but full-disk encryption addresses confidentiality of stored data, not application execution control.
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Windows Defender Antivirus
Why it's wrong here
Windows Defender Antivirus blocks files matching known malicious signatures or behaviour; it permits any unrecognised executable to run, so it cannot enforce an approved-only list. It is tempting because it is built-in endpoint protection, but signature detection is a denylist model, the opposite of whitelisting.
- ✓
AppLocker
Why this is correct
AppLocker applies policy-based allow lists that restrict which executables, scripts and installers may run, using publisher, path or hash rules. This enforces application whitelisting natively on Windows servers, satisfying the hardening requirement without third-party agents.
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User Account Control (UAC)
Why it's wrong here
UAC prompts for elevation when an action requires administrative rights; it does not maintain an allowlist of permitted executables, so unapproved binaries still launch under a standard token. It is tempting because it gates privileged actions, but that is consent for elevation, not application control.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official ISC2 exam blueprint
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