Network Behavior Anomaly Detection (NBAD) is a security technique that monitors networks for unusual activity, identifying security threats and terms of use violations. It can address zero-day exploits and alert administrators to take action. It can be customized for different needs and network sizes.
Network Behavior Anomaly Detection (NBAD) is a security technique used to monitor a network for signs of unusual activity. This technique is designed to work together with multiple layers of security to provide comprehensive protection and is accomplished with the use of a computer program that monitors the network on an ongoing basis. Numerous companies make programs designed to detect network behavior anomalies in various settings.
The program first establishes a baseline by observing normal network and user behavior. With this information, it can begin to identify anomalies that could indicate a security threat. Security threats could include viruses and worms, the unauthorized release of sensitive information, and similar issues. Network behavior anomaly detection can also be used to identify terms of use violations. On a university network, for example, downloading of copyrighted material may be prohibited, and the program may identify users who are downloading large amounts of data, which might appear to suggest that they are engaged in software, music or movie piracy.
One benefit of network behavior anomaly detection is that it can be used to address zero-day exploits. Zero day exploits happen when a virus is first released or when people first identify a security hole. On day zero, antivirus and security software programs have not yet identified a profile that could be used to prevent such exploits. Network behavior anomaly detection, however, doesn’t have to look for a particular profile, it just looks for unusual activity, which means it can identify something like a virus before the antivirus program has been updated.
When a network behavior anomaly detection program identifies something it deems unusual, it will send an alert to an administrator. The administrator can determine what is happening and decide whether or not to take action. For example, an increase in outbound traffic might be the result of uploading a large project to an external server, meaning you don’t need to take any action. Conversely, a computer that suddenly sends thousands of emails could be infected with a virus, requiring action to protect the rest of the network from infection.
This security technique can be used on networks of all sizes. The program used to perform network behavior anomaly detection can usually be customized to meet particular needs. For example, the program can be told to disconnect a computer from a network if it shows obvious signs of security issues or terms of use violations.
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