What is the effect of the baseline file scan in Threatlocker?

The baseline file scan in Threatlocker plays a critical role in establishing a foundation for security policies by analyzing the existing files on a system. During this process, the software examines all files currently present and identifies their attributes and behaviors. Based on this comprehensive analysis, it then creates policies that dictate how these files are treated moving forward.

Establishing policy rules for these existing files is essential because it helps to manage what can execute or modify system resources, effectively enhancing the overall security posture by allowing only known, trusted files to run. This proactive approach helps mitigate potential threats by ensuring that all file activities are monitored and controlled according to the policies derived from this scan, which can adapt as new files are added or modified in the environment.

In this context, the creation of policies based on existing files reflects a fundamental security practice: defining a baseline of acceptable and expected behavior within the system, thereby enabling Threatlocker to operate effectively in protecting against unauthorized actions and malware.