Writing blogs at 2am sometimes, has me asking myself dumb questions like "should I use a mathematics or a magician's metaphor to kick off todays blog?" Answering myself sometimes generates inspiration and sometimes just means the lazy way out, like today when I chose both.
By now you've come to realize that there isn't a singe magic phrase, silver bullet or individual solution to mitigate insider threats across your enterprise.
AppLocker, a Windows 7 management feature, is a Group Policy extension that evolved from Software Restriction Policies, to restrict which applications can run on end points in a corporate network. The method of controlling application execution with AppLocker is performed by creating either a “block list” or “allow list” of applications.
Applications that are on an AppLocker block list are blocked from executing, whereas applications on an AppLocker allow list are allowed to run. Typically, organizations choose to implement either a allow list approach or a block list approach, with the allow list approach being most common. However, implementing application control policies with AppLocker does not negate the need to remove administrator privileges from users.
You may be interested in a new white paper that examines the pros and cons of AppLocker, and illustrates how using AppLocker alone as a solution for Least Privilege is not be enough to protect your enterprise. However, integrating AppLocker with BeyondTrust PowerBroker Desktops enables users to run with standard user rights, while simultaneously providing them the access they need to perform their job. This equates to a perfect complement of solutions to achieve least privilege.
