What security strategy does implicit deny employ?

The implicit deny strategy is a foundational security principle that dictates that all traffic should be blocked by default unless it has been explicitly allowed through specific rules. This means that without an explicit rule permitting access, all attempts to connect, transmit data, or request information will be denied. This approach minimizes potential security risks by creating a stringent barrier against unauthorized access and potential threats.

By adopting an implicit deny policy, organizations significantly reduce the attack surface, thereby ensuring that only trusted and validated traffic can flow through their networks. This is especially critical in environments where data security and compliance are paramount, as it helps prevent risks associated with unauthorized access and data breaches.

The other options, such as allowing all traffic by default, permitting only specific traffic, or merely monitoring traffic, do not align with the underlying principles of implicit deny. Such strategies would either increase vulnerability by allowing unauthorized access or fail to provide the necessary proactive protection that implicit deny offers.