Those who work in IT are more than likely familiar with the importance of a network traffic monitor. Whether it’s an actual pair of eyes or automation, you need visibility on your business’s network traffic.
For those who are new to the topic, it’s more than just detecting anomalies in the network. You can use this information to improve your defenses while minimizing the chance of any kind of significant breach.
However, if you aren’t up to speed with real-time log analysis and utilizing historical information, your company is more vulnerable than you think. This article shines a light on the importance of monitoring your network traffic and why firewall logs are the support you need to get it done.
Simplifying Firewall Logs
Providing an array of information into your network traffic, firewall logs show IP addresses, timestamps, and much more. They act as an active ingredient in your network traffic analysis tools, especially when it comes to security threats.
Several notable features commonly associated with logs in your firewall device include:
- Deep packet inspection (DPI)
- Important connection data
- Maintaining compliance with security policies
- Highlighting port numbers
- Real-time and historical information
Generally found among most of the best firewalls on the market, this isn’t some exclusive feature that’s hard to find. However, if you don’t understand the ins and outs of how to utilize the information, you’d only be leaving yourself open to more risk.
Modern Application of Network Security Monitoring
Working as a network traffic analyzer that never sleeps, firewall logs work side-by-side with plenty of modern and exciting new features. Artificial intelligence is a great example of this, making the efficacy of firewall logs better than they have ever been.
For example, firewall log monitoring can be improved with AI and ML tech by being much more proactive. Pattern identification, noise filtering, and anomaly detection can have solutions ready to go before they ever become a problem.
Solely relying on human intervention comes with natural delays and errors that can pose a seemingly endless list of challenges. With the help of automation, firewall logs require much less intervention on a consistent basis.
Current Challenges in Network Security Monitoring
Even with the advancements in automation and firewall tech in general, there are still several challenges you’ll inevitably face. A much more efficient approach to logging leads to a much higher volume of data to deal with.
On top of that, false positives are always a possibility, as tools like automation aren’t accurate 100% of the time. You also need to have systems in place that can keep up with the output of modern firewall logs and automated solutions. Through effective log management, your workforce can remain safe and streamlined with more efficient network traffic analysis tools.
End Note
The best approach to an effective network traffic monitor doesn’t have much to do with a manual strategy anymore. While human intervention will always be a part of the process, it’s simply impressive how much of it can be automated.
You’re always in control of the parameters here; it simply comes down to managing a new way to monitor your network traffic. Give us a shout if you’d like to learn more about network traffic monitoring solutions and the surrounding firewall tech that goes with it.
