Anthropic-Cybersecurity-Skills/skills/implementing-application-whitelisting-with-applocker/references/standards.md

Standards & References - Implementing Application Whitelisting with AppLocker

Primary Standards

NIST SP 800-167 - Guide to Application Whitelisting

• Publisher: NIST
• URL: https://csrc.nist.gov/publications/detail/sp/800-167/final
• Scope: Comprehensive guidance on planning, implementing, and maintaining application whitelisting
• Key sections: Technology overview, planning process, policy creation, maintenance operations

ACSC Essential Eight - Application Control

• Publisher: Australian Cyber Security Centre
• URL: https://www.cyber.gov.au/resources-business-and-government/essential-cyber-security/essential-eight
• Scope: Application control is Mitigation Strategy #1 in the Essential Eight
• Maturity levels: L1 (block executables in user profiles), L2 (block from all user-writable paths), L3 (Microsoft recommended block rules + WDAC)

CIS Control 2 - Software Inventory and Control

• Publisher: Center for Internet Security
• Relevance: CIS Controls v8 Control 2 requires software allowlisting for authorized applications

Compliance Mappings

Framework	Requirement	AppLocker Coverage
PCI DSS 4.0	6.4.3 - Restrict active content	AppLocker script rules block unauthorized scripts
NIST 800-53	CM-7 - Least Functionality	AppLocker enforces minimum required software
NIST 800-53	CM-11 - User-Installed Software	AppLocker prevents unauthorized software installation
NIST 800-171	3.4.8 - Application whitelisting	Direct requirement for application control
ISO 27001	A.12.5.1 - Installation of software on operational systems	AppLocker restricts installation capability
HIPAA	164.312(a)(1) - Access Control	Restricts executable access to authorized applications

Microsoft Documentation

• AppLocker Overview: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/application-security/application-control/app-control-for-business/applocker/applocker-overview
• AppLocker Policies Design Guide: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/application-security/application-control/app-control-for-business/applocker/applocker-policies-design-guide
• WDAC and AppLocker Feature Availability: Comparison of capabilities between AppLocker and WDAC
• Microsoft Recommended Block Rules: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/application-security/application-control/app-control-for-business/design/applications-that-can-bypass-appcontrol

Supporting References

• LOLBAS Project: https://lolbas-project.github.io/ - Living Off The Land Binaries reference for deny rule creation
• AaronLocker (GitHub): Open-source toolkit for generating robust AppLocker policies
• UltimateAppLockerByPassList: Security research on AppLocker bypass techniques for defense awareness