Every organization has different types of software and applications they rely on to conduct daily operations. If you think about who has access to these resources from a cybersecurity perspective, granting full privileges presents all kinds of potential risks. This is why application whitelisting is an important business asset.
A lot of system administrators utilize a practice called application whitelisting to protect against threats and data theft. In this article we dive into the concept of what application whitelisting is, its benefits and limitations, implementation strategies, and best practices for using it.
- What is application whitelisting?
- Benefits of application whitelisting
- Limitations of application whitelisting
- Best practices for implementing application whitelisting
- Challenges and considerations
What is application whitelisting?
Application whitelisting is a security practice that allows only pre-approved applications to execute on a system or network. User levels are restricted too. By creating a list of trusted applications and denying execution permissions for others, they help to plug potential software holes with applications that aren’t explicitly permitted.
This proactive approach stands in contrast to traditional methods like blacklisting, which attempt to block known malicious software but may not effectively prevent more sophisticated cyberthreats like zero-day attacks or advanced persistent threats.
The strategy is executed one of two ways. Either a system admin manages the disparate apps and user permission levels manually, or a third-party application is used to manage and enforce.
Whitelisting works under the Zero Trust Principle. Zero trust functions under the assumption that all actors and actions are possibly malicious and need to be verified. This means no organizational resources can interact with the system(s) without being explicitly authorized.
On the other hand, blacklisting is a similar approach but with less restriction. It’s sort of the opposite principle, where everything is allowed as long as it’s not on the “blacklist”. But there is a security hole in the blacklist concept, and that’s unknown or unidentified threats as mentioned above. This can lead to a false sense of safety in network security.
The benefits of application whitelisting
Application whitelisting is one of the best methods of securing an organization’s data and resources. Additionally, there are boons related to uptime, business continuity, cost effectiveness, and regulatory compliance.
These are some of the biggest benefits of application whitelisting.
Enhanced security
It’s a fact that when organizations integrate an application whitelisting solution into their cybersecurity strategy their chances of getting breached are greatly reduced. With careful curation of the approved applications and regular oversight, cyber incidents are much less likely.
By tightening control over the tools an organization uses the attack surface that bad actors can exploit is minimized. By having more specific control over access the potential for human user error incidents to occur is mitigated as well.
Protection against zero-Day threats
Zero-day threats are dangerous because they exploit software vulnerabilities before the program creators have a chance to address and fix them. By preventing unknown or untrusted applications from executing the risk of zero-day attacks is greatly mitigated.
Since application whitelisting focuses on allowing only trusted software applications to execute, it effectively thwarts zero-day exploits and emerging threats that might not have known signatures.
Compliance
Many industries are subject to stringent regulatory requirements regarding data protection and cybersecurity. Some require application whitelisting to meet these compliance standards. It’s especially common in fields where a breach could compromise sensitive information like in the Payment Card Industry (PCI).
When organizations get breached, they must make it known publicly in addition to possibly being held financially liable for damages to potentially millions of users.
Improved system performance
By preventing unauthorized applications from being able to run, application whitelisting can contribute to better overall system performance and stability, as well as reduce the burden on IT support teams.
Limitations of application whitelisting
Like all cybersecurity solutions, application whitelisting does have some drawbacks and limitations. Here are some of the most important to be aware of.
Setup and curation
Initial setup is one of the biggest challenges when integrating application whitelisting. Key stakeholders need to analyze their software bill of materials and curate which to add to the whitelist and what needs to be discontinued altogether.
Sunsetting unnecessary applications or finding suitable replacements requires time and financial resources. Consider the trial and error of finding replacement solutions to fit specific needs and team training on how to properly use the tools in addition to financial costs.
Ongoing maintenance
Whitelists need ongoing maintenance and consistent updates to provide the most efficacy. The security of tools can fluctuate when it comes to patching, version updates, and bad actors discovering things like security flaws.
Constant attention needs to be paid to however an organization is whitelisting to make sure applications remain secure at all times.
Productivity concerns
Increased security can sometimes lead to decreases in productivity as additional steps to maintain a secure network are sometimes required to complete even the simplest tasks.
Best practices for implementing application whitelisting
Digital asset inventory and classification
The best way to start is by creating a “software bill of materials” the organization uses. Classify them based on their criticality and relevance to business continuity.
Define whitelisting policies
Establish clear criteria for determining which applications make it on the whitelist. Factors to consider include vendor reputation, digital signatures, and necessity.
Testing and validation
Before enforcing whitelisting policies across your organization, perform thorough testing on the impact to systems and user workflows. Validate the whitelist against potential use cases to ensure that essential applications aren’t inadvertently blocked.
User education and awareness
Educate employees about the purpose and benefits of application whitelisting. Encourage them to report any unauthorized software or suspicious behavior on their devices.
Continuous monitoring and updating
Regularly review and update the whitelist to accommodate changes in software versions, new releases, and organizational requirements. Implement mechanisms for monitoring application usage and detecting unauthorized software execution attempts.
Challenges and considerations
While application whitelisting offers unique security advantages, it’s not without its challenges. Organizations may have difficulty managing and maintaining whitelists, especially in dynamic environments where software requirements change frequently. Striking the right balance between security and usability is essential to ensure that legitimate applications are not unnecessarily restricted.
Additionally, application whitelisting may not be suitable for all organizations. Specialized software, legacy applications, and bring-your-own-device policies present specific compatibility issues and require careful consideration during implementation.
Conclusion
Application whitelisting is a proactive and effective approach to cybersecurity that offers organizations a strong defensive posture against multiple types of threats. By enforcing strict control over which applications can execute on their systems, organizations can increase their cybersecurity posture, protect sensitive data, and maintain regulatory compliance requirements.
While implementing and managing application whitelisting brings challenges, the benefits it provides make it worth the effort and resources. With careful planning, strong policies, and ongoing monitoring organizations can harness the power of application whitelisting to fortify their defenses and mitigate cyber threats.
