What does a sensor in the Tanium Client primarily do?

The primary function of a sensor in the Tanium Client is to run scripts to compute responses to questions about the state of the endpoint. Sensors gather and report specific data from the systems they are installed on, such as hardware specifications, installed software, running processes, and more. This data is crucial as it allows the Tanium platform to provide timely and accurate information across an organization’s network.

By executing scripts, sensors effectively collect detailed information that can be utilized for numerous purposes, including assessing security posture, inventory management, and compliance monitoring. This capability is central to Tanium’s goal of delivering fast and efficient endpoint data collection in a scalable manner.

Other options relate to functionalities that are either beyond the scope of what sensors do or are managed by different components of the Tanium platform. For example, real-time logging information would involve a different mechanism than what sensors provide; managing user permissions and installing applications are tasks typically handled by administrative controls or other software management tools, rather than sensors themselves.