Best Network Traffic Analysis (NTA) Tools for 2023 | PeerSpot

What is NTA? Network Traffic Analysis is a type of security product that uses network communications to detect and investigate security threats and malicious or anomalous behaviors within the network. NTA uses a combination of behavioral modeling, machine learning, and rule-based detection to create a baseline reflecting what the organization’s normal network behavior looks like. They then continuously analyze flow records and/or network telemetry, and alert your security team to a potential threat when irregular activities or traffic patterns are detected in the network.

Other network security tools, like firewalls and IDS/IPS (intrusion detection system/intrusion prevention system) products monitor vertical traffic crossing the perimeter of your network environment. NTA solutions focus on all communications, as well as on operational technology and Internet of things (IoT) networks that otherwise would not be seen by your security team. Advanced NTA tools can even be effective when the network traffic is encrypted.

NTA solutions are generally automated, and can analyze all of the devices or entities that make up your network, including switches, routers, and firewalls. Visibility extends to smart devices, roaming users, data centers, and branch offices. No matter where you are, you can get an idea of who is using your network, how they are accessing it and from where, and what they are doing.

Once an NTA solution ascertains what normal behavior looks like on your network, it can alert your security team to anomalous behavior, providing the extended visibility necessary for the security incident to be mitigated.

NTA can attribute a malicious behavior to a specific IP address and can also perform forensic analysis to figure out how the threat has moved and what other devices might be affected. This results in a faster response time and more expeditious prevention of spread and/or resolution of the issue.