Definition
Host-based analysis involves examining the internal state and activities of an individual computer system or device to detect threats or understand its behavior. This process typically involves collecting and analyzing data directly from the host, such as logs, running processes, file system changes, and memory contents. It is crucial for identifying sophisticated attacks that may evade network-level defenses and for forensic investigations. For instance, analyzing a server's registry for unauthorized modifications can reveal a persistent malware infection. Unlike network-based analysis, which monitors traffic between systems, host-based analysis focuses solely on the compromised or targeted machine. This concept is frequently assessed in cybersecurity certifications like CompTIA Security+ and CySA+.