What is NetFlow in terms of cybersecurity?

NetFlow is a networking protocol used in cybersecurity and network management to collect and analyze data about network traffic. It is used to capture and record data about the flow of packets across a network, including information such as the source and destination IP addresses, protocol types, and packet sizes.

NetFlow data can be used for a variety of purposes in cybersecurity, including detecting and analyzing security incidents, monitoring network performance, and identifying potential security threats. By analyzing NetFlow data, security teams can identify patterns of traffic that may indicate malicious activity, such as port scans, denial-of-service attacks, or data exfiltration.

In addition to its uses in cybersecurity, NetFlow is also used for network capacity planning, troubleshooting, and traffic engineering. It can help organizations to understand the volume and nature of traffic on their network, and to identify potential bottlenecks or areas where network performance could be improved.

Overall, NetFlow is an important tool for network management and cybersecurity, providing valuable insights into network traffic and helping organizations to detect and respond to security incidents in a timely manner.