This guide explores the types of NTA solutions available, the key features that provide visibility and control over your network, and where related technologies like NDR tools fit into a modern, secure network strategy.
But first, I want to start with some red flags that tell you that network traffic is hiding performance bottlenecks, sophisticated cyber threats, or both. Relying on yesterday’s tools can mean missing important warning signs.
Seven Signs You Should Be Improving Your Network Traffic Analysis
Ideally, Network Traffic Analysis (NTA) provides administrators with a clear, real-time view of how data moves across their network. It helps them identify performance issues, track resource usage, and Identify potential safety hazards. Before they become serious problems.
When NTA tools and strategies leave critical blind spots, it will fail to detect performance issues, security threats, or unexpected traffic patterns that could disrupt operations.
Below are some warning signs and scenarios that warrant a review of your current approach and may indicate the need for a strategic retooling of your network traffic analysis. Red flags include:
- Security Incidents or Suspicious Activity: An increase in network breaches, unauthorized access, or unusual traffic flows (eg, data exfiltration attempts or DDoS attacks) indicates that your current strategy is not adequately monitoring threats. is or is not alerting you in real time.
- Unexpected increase in traffic: If you see an unexpected spike in traffic, such as during peak hours or breaks when there should be less activity, this could indicate a problem with how traffic is being managed or even malware. based activity. If unexpected increases persist, re-evaluate your performance monitoring and vulnerability detection tools to confirm they are providing you with complete visibility.
- Lack of visibility into certain types of traffic: If your current tools or strategies don’t provide clear insights. Certain types of traffic — such as VoIP, streaming, or encrypted data — it may be time to upgrade to a more sophisticated solution that offers deeper packet inspection and greater granularity.
- Contradictory reporting or warnings: If your current system isn’t providing consistent, actionable reports or timely alerts, it’s a sign that network traffic strategies are outdated or misconfigured. Review your limits, detection rules, and alerting policies.
- Changes in network infrastructure or traffic requirements: As network infrastructure evolves (for example, moving to cloud services, remote work, or the rise of IoT), it’s critical to ensure your NTA tools and approach adapt to these changes. , ensuring seamless traffic monitoring and management.
- Disconnected network data: If your NTA tools are not well integrated across different network segments or systems, it can be difficult to get a complete picture of network performance or security risks. Better insights may require a unified approach to traffic analysis.
- Compliance or regulatory changes: If new compliance regulations or industry standards (such as GDPR or HIPAA) affect data protection and privacy, it may be necessary to review your NTA strategy to ensure it meets these requirements. and avoids possible fines.
There are other warning signs I haven’t caught here, and new ones Zero Day feats. are emerging every day.
It is a wise idea to take a proactive approach with NTA. Having less than full visibility into your network traffic is problematic—both performance and security are at risk.
After all, once they gain access to your network, It only takes two days for attackers to own your data..
What makes network traffic analysis so difficult to optimize?
As NTA technology evolves, it becomes increasingly powerful and capable of identifying sophisticated threats.
But these enhanced capabilities come with an important caveat: You really need a lot of paid IT resources in-house. The more sophisticated the tool, the greater the experience, expertise and manpower required to operate and manage it effectively.
A basic network for a single office can be relatively straightforward to implement and monitor with minimal expertise. A large network with sophisticated NTA platforms requires skilled security professionals who can interpret complex data, respond quickly to threats, and adapt systems to new attack techniques. Can fix and Ransomware trends.
These factors make powerful NTA solutions more resource-intensive, demanding both skilled personnel and ongoing training to maintain their effectiveness. Organizations must consider not only the technical capabilities of an NTA solution, but also how to manage and maximize the potential of their team.
Types of Network Traffic Analysis Tools
Network Traffic Analysis Tools are essential for monitoring and optimizing the flow of data across the network. They help identify bottlenecks, solve problems and ensure efficient use of resources. The main types of network traffic analysis tools are:
- Packet sniffers: These tools capture and analyze raw network traffic at the packet level. Common tools, such as Wireshark, provide deep insight into the types of data being transmitted and problems such as packet loss or protocol mismatches. help identify
- Flow Analysis Tools: Tools like SolarWinds and NetFlow Analyzer track flow data, which shows how traffic moves through the network in terms of sessions or connections. These tools focus on aggregate data, such as bandwidth usage, that helps understand overall network performance.
- Network Performance Monitor: These tools, such as PRTG Network Monitor, analyze both traffic and overall network health, including latency, throughput, and device status. They provide real-time monitoring and alerting features to track performance trends and detect anomalies.
- Intrusion Detection System (IDS): These tools, such as Zeek and Snort, monitor traffic for signs of suspicious activity such as unauthorized access or attacks. They focus on the security aspect of network traffic by analyzing patterns and behavior.
Many of the top tools for network traffic analysis combine multiple functionalities into one platform. Some examples of “all-in-one” tools include SolarWinds NPM and PRTG Network Monitor, which provide comprehensive solutions for both monitoring and analyzing network traffic.
See: Check it out. SolarWinds NPM Overview And this PRTG Network Monitor Review To know more about them.
These platforms typically integrate packet sniffing, flow analysis, performance monitoring, and even security features into one interface, making them highly effective for organizations that need to improve their network performance and security. A broad view is required.
At the other end of the spectrum, you’ll be able to find some free tools that can do some of these things – albeit in a limited way with many upsells to their paid tool.
One last thing to note: you still have to apply separately. Network Detection and Response (NDR) solutions To effectively tighten network security. “All-in-one” NTA tools have limited NDR capabilities – most organizations use both to protect against Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) attacks.
Key Features of Network Traffic Analysis
Focus on the features that will help you achieve the primary goals of network traffic analysis: increasing visibility, improving performance, ensuring security, and maintaining operational efficiency.
These are the five most important features that I think most people will be interested in.
1. Real-time monitoring and alerts
The ability to monitor network traffic in real time and receive alerts about abnormal behavior or performance degradation is essential for proactive troubleshooting and quick response.
Most NTA solutions offer real-time monitoring and alerts – a good solution reduces alert fatigue by prioritizing actionable insights. Look for tools that provide context-aware alerts with relevant details and allow custom thresholding to suit your network’s unique needs.
Another way to reduce false alarms and endless alerts is to use NTA solutions with alert correlation and grouping, which can consolidate relevant notifications. This can help keep your team focused on the right issues rather than being overwhelmed by redundant or low-priority alerts.
2. Automatic Traffic Classification
Many NTA tools can perform basic traffic classifications, such as distinguishing between common data types such as HTTP, DNS, or FTP. A more powerful automatic traffic classification feature goes beyond basic classification by offering granular identification of applications, protocols, and data types, ensuring accurate allocation of resources.
For example, advanced NTA tools can recognize and categorize specific applications, such as identifying Microsoft Teams traffic versus normal web browsing. This is important for identifying where traffic spikes are coming from, for example, and makes it easier to prioritize discrete resources and improve overall network performance.
3. Detailed reporting and historical data
The ability to create detailed, customized reports allows teams to track trends over time, identify recurring issues, and Make data-driven decisions. For capacity planning or resource allocation. Historical data is particularly valuable for diagnosing intermittent problems and conducting post-event reviews, which provide a clearer picture of what happened and why.
4. In-depth visibility and decryption
Don’t let encryption hide malicious activity. Choose an NTA solution that analyzes both encrypted and unencrypted traffic to uncover hidden threats within data tunnels. In addition, look for capabilities that go beyond the packet header to analyze protocols, applications, and user behavior to provide detailed insight into network activity. Always choose an NTA that tracks background traffic to expose adversaries moving through side channels and prevent threats from going undetected in your network.
5. Integration with other network management tools
Integration with other network management solutions, such as Network Performance Monitoring (NPM) and Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systemsis essential to creating a unified view of your network’s health.
If the goal is to increase visibility, don’t let network tools remain in silos.
There are many additional capabilities, from Advanced anomaly detection for custom dashboards, which can help tailor the tool to your network’s unique needs. The key is not just choosing the right features, but using them effectively to gain actionable insights into your network’s performance and security.
At the end of the day, the most powerful tool is the expertise of the team using it.
The real value of your NTA solution lies in how well your professionals understand and leverage its features. As you move forward, rest assured that the combination of advanced technology and your team’s knowledge will provide the insight needed to stay ahead of emerging threats and improve network performance with confidence.