Which of the following is the practice of specifying an index of approved software applications?

The practice of specifying an index of approved software applications is known as application-level allow listing. This approach involves creating a curated list of software that is permitted to run on a particular system or network. The primary purpose of application-level allow listing is to enhance security by preventing unauthorized or potentially malicious applications from executing.

In an environment that employs application-level allow listing, any software that is not included on the approved list will be blocked from execution. This significantly reduces the attack surface by ensuring that only trustworthy applications are allowed, thereby lowering the risk of malware infiltration or exploitation of software vulnerabilities.

Understanding this practice is crucial, as it contrasts with methodologies like application-level deny listing, where the focus is on blocking specific harmful applications rather than actively allowing only approved ones. Significantly, application-level allow listing is proactive in nature, establishing a security framework based on trust in known, vetted software. This contributes to a more robust cybersecurity posture, especially in enterprise environments where application control is vital.