Definition
Network forensics is the systematic monitoring and analysis of computer network traffic to identify and investigate security incidents. It involves capturing, storing, and examining network packets and logs to reconstruct events, detect malicious activity, and gather evidence. This process is crucial for understanding the scope and impact of a breach, identifying the attack vector, and preventing future occurrences. For instance, analysts might examine firewall logs and packet captures to trace the path of malware propagation across an organization's network. Unlike host based forensics which focuses on individual devices, network forensics examines the communication between devices. This discipline is fundamental to cybersecurity certifications like CompTIA Security+, CySA+, and CISSP.