Any security plan should include network forensics. With the rash of ransomware attacks and vulnerabilities caused by emerging technology, more companies are paying attention to network forensics. It's no surprise that from 2017 to 2025, the global network forensics market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 14%. The following are some of the reasons why network forensics is becoming a more important part of global business IT strategies.
What is network forensics?
Network forensics is the method of capturing, documenting, and analyzing network packets to identify the source of network security attacks. Furthermore, network forensics is the method of identifying intrusion patterns and concentrating on attack activities. In order to analyze network traffic data, it gathers data from various sites and network devices such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems (IDS). Network forensics may also be used to detect, avoid, and investigate possible attacks.
Identification, preservation, collection, inspection, analysis, and presentation, as well as incident response, are all phases in a network forensics investigation.
Identification
The identification process is the first step in network forensics. This is an extremely important move because it can have a significant effect on the case's outcome. The process of identifying and evaluating the incident using various network indicators is included in this phase.
Preservation
Preservation is the next step in a network forensics investigation. The network forensic specialist would separate the data with the help of computer forensics tools to ensure that the evidence is not tampered with. Different cyber forensics resources are available to assist with evidence recovery. Autopsy and Encase are examples of such programs.
Gathering
The collection is the third and important step in the process. Using common protocols and techniques, the network forensic specialist tracks the physical scene and duplicates digital evidence.
Checking/Inspection
The fourth stage of the procedure is Inspection. The network forensic specialist will document all identifiable data and review various pieces of data that could be useful in a court of law in this process.
Analysis
Analysis of the collected data is the fifth phase in the network forensic investigation. The expert will reach a conclusion based on the evidence gathered and analyzed previously in this process.
Presentation
The presentation of analysis is the sixth stage in a network forensic investigation. It implies that the facts will be discussed in a court of law, with the expert summarizing and explaining the findings.
Network forensics tools
To gather and analyze data, network forensics or digital forensics tools usually use two methods: the "catch it as you can" approach, which collects and monitors all data passing through the network, and the "stop, look and listen" method, which monitors every data packet and only the suspicious data is retrieved and analyzed further. The first method, though successful, needs a significant amount of storage; the second method, on the other hand, requires less storage space but a faster and more efficient processor.
Network forensics application
In order to protect networks from both subtle and malicious security risks, forensics can be very useful. Network forensics can help a company investigate and prevent data breaches that could cost them money, a competitive advantage, or both. Having a comprehensive record of network activity can be extremely helpful when dealing with a variety of technological, operational, and organizational issues.