Network Security Device Pre-Attack Context Logging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing intrusion detection systems typically only log packets after an attack has been detected, which is insufficient for understanding the complete context of the attack, hindering post-attack analysis and prevention.
Innovation Solution
A network security device determines potentially threatening packets by applying intrusion detection, malware detection, and security policy rules, temporarily storing non-threatening packets in a circular buffer and logging pre- and post-attack context information to facilitate comprehensive analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If only packets after attack detection are logged, then logging resource consumption is reduced, but attack context understanding is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by buffering packets before attack detection occurs. When an attack is detected, the buffered packets (pre-attack context) are immediately available for analysis without requiring additional real-time processing or storage resources during the attack event.
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts only the necessary pre-attack context packets from the buffered data when an attack is detected, rather than logging all packets continuously. This selective extraction provides sufficient attack context while minimizing the total volume of logged data.
2Loss of information
If all packets are logged continuously, then complete attack context is captured, but system performance and storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Packets are buffered in advance before attack detection, so when an attack occurs, the pre-attack context is already captured and ready for analysis. This eliminates the need for continuous logging while ensuring complete attack context is available.
Solution Approach 2:
The system buffers a limited number of packets (excessive action) before attack detection, which is more than the minimal single packet approach but less than continuous logging of all packets. This partial buffering provides sufficient context while maintaining system performance.
3Loss of information
If a circular buffer is used to store pre-attack packets, then attack context is improved, but device memory requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer size is configured as a可调 parameter that can be optimized based on specific attack scenarios and system resources. By adjusting the buffer size parameter, the system can balance between capturing sufficient pre-attack context and minimizing memory consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts only the necessary number of pre-attack packets from the circular buffer based on the specific attack type and analysis requirements, rather than storing and processing all buffered packets. This reduces the effective memory burden while maintaining attack context quality.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for improved attack context data logging are provided. According to one embodiment, prior to a logging event being triggered (i) it is determined by a network security device whether a received packet is potentially associated with a threat or undesired activity by analyzing the packet; (ii) when the determination is negative, the packet is stored within a circular buffer; and (iii) when the determination is affirmative, (a) the logging event is triggered, (b) pre-attack context information regarding the threat is captured by extracting information from packets within the circular buffer and (c) the pre-attack context information is stored within a log. After the logging event has been triggered and until information regarding a predefined quantity of packets has been logged, post-attack context information regarding the threat is captured by extracting information from subsequently received packets and the post-attack context information is stored within the log.