STIGQter STIGQter: STIG Summary: Microsoft Defender Antivirus Security Technical Implementation Guide Version: 2 Release: 9 Benchmark Date: 01 Jul 2026:

Microsoft Defender AV must set cloud protection level to High.

DISA Rule

SV-278863r1192833_rule

Vulnerability Number

V-278863

Group Title

SRG-APP-000210

Rule Version

WNDF-AV-000073

Severity

CAT II

CCI(s)

Weight

10

Fix Recommendation

Set the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> Windows Components >> Microsoft Defender Antivirus >> MpEngine >> Select cloud protection level to "Enabled".

Set policy value "Select cloud blocking level" to "High blocking level".

Check Contents

Verify the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> Windows Components >> Microsoft Defender Antivirus >> MpEngine >> Select cloud protection level is set to "Enabled". Verify the policy value for "Select cloud blocking level" is set to "High blocking level"; otherwise, this is a finding.

Procedure: Use the Windows Registry Editor to navigate to the following key:
HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\MpEngine

Criteria: If the value "MpCloudBlockLevel" is REG_DWORD = 2, this is not a finding.

If the value is other than 2, this is a finding.

Vulnerability Number

V-278863

Documentable

False

Rule Version

WNDF-AV-000073

Severity Override Guidance

Verify the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> Windows Components >> Microsoft Defender Antivirus >> MpEngine >> Select cloud protection level is set to "Enabled". Verify the policy value for "Select cloud blocking level" is set to "High blocking level"; otherwise, this is a finding.

Procedure: Use the Windows Registry Editor to navigate to the following key:
HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\MpEngine

Criteria: If the value "MpCloudBlockLevel" is REG_DWORD = 2, this is not a finding.

If the value is other than 2, this is a finding.

Check Content Reference

M

Target Key

3985