Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract of Forescout Platform Administration and Deployment:
According to the Forescout Administration Guide, one policy can be set to run first by categorizing the Policy as a classifier. Classifier policies run before other policy types.
Policy Categorization and Execution Order:
According to the Forescout Administration Guide:
Forescout supports different policy categories, and these categories determine execution order:
Classifier Policies - Run FIRST
Used for initial device classification
Establish basic device properties (OS, Function, Network Function)
Must complete before other policies can evaluate classification properties
Assessment Policies - Run AFTER classifiers
Assess compliance based on classified properties
Depend on classifier output
Control/Action Policies - Run LAST
Apply remediation actions
Depend on assessment results
How Classifier Policies Run First:
According to the documentation:
"When you categorize a policy as a classifier, it runs before assessment and action policies. This allows the classified properties to be established before other policies attempt to evaluate them."
Reason for Classifier Priority:
According to the policy execution guidelines:
Classifier policies must run first because:
Dependency Resolution - Other policies depend on classification properties
Property Population - Classifiers populate device properties used by other policies
Execution Efficiency - Classifiers determine what type of device is being evaluated
Logical Flow - You must know what a device is before assessing or controlling it
Why Other Options Are Incorrect:
A. There is no way to cause one policy to run first - Incorrect; categorization determines execution order
B. Setting Main Rule condition to utilize primary classification - While main rule conditions can reference classification, this doesn't change policy execution order
C. Categorizing the Policy as an assessment policy - Assessment policies run AFTER classifier policies, not first
E. Using Irresolvable criteria - Irresolvable criteria handling doesn't affect policy execution order
Policy Categorization Example:
According to the documentation:
text
Policy Execution Order:
1. CLASSIFIER Policies (Run First)
- "Device Classification Policy" (categorized as Classifier)
- Resolves: OS, Function, Network Function
2. ASSESSMENT Policies (Run Second)
- "Windows Compliance Policy" (categorized as Assessment)
- Depends on classification from step 1
3. ACTION Policies (Run Last)
- "Remediate Non-Compliant Devices" (categorized as Control)
- Depends on assessment from step 2
In this workflow, because "Device Classification Policy" is categorized as a Classifier, it executes first, populating device properties that the subsequent Assessment and Action policies need.
Referenced Documentation:
ForeScout CounterACT Administration Guide - Policy Categorization
Categorize Endpoint Authorizations - Policy Categories and Execution
