Skip to content

Network Forensics Overview

Section: Document 4B — Network Forensics Procedures
Focus: Evidence collection, analysis, and investigation across multiple technology platforms

Section Purpose

This section provides detailed forensic investigation procedures for enterprise network infrastructure, covering evidence collection, chain of custody management, and platform-specific analysis methodologies. All procedures are designed for Cisco-centric environments with AI-enhanced observability platforms.

Coverage Scope: - Foundation forensics (universal principles) - SD-WAN forensics (vManage, vEdge, IPsec, OMP) - DNAC forensics (Assurance, SD-Access, DNA Center) - Webex forensics (Calling, Contact Center, Control Hub) - FTD forensics (Firewall, IPS, connection tracking) - Zero Trust forensics (ISE, TrustSec, authentication) - AI observability (XDR, UEBA, anomaly detection)

Sub-Section Overview

Foundation

Universal forensic principles and procedures applicable across all platforms.

Topics: - Digital evidence collection - Chain of custody management - Write-blocking and imaging - Analysis tools and techniques - Legal considerations - Report writing standards

SD-WAN Forensics

Forensic investigation procedures for Cisco SD-WAN infrastructure.

Investigation Areas: - vManage investigation (alarms, events, configuration changes) - IPsec tunnel analysis (security associations, encapsulation) - OMP route forensics (route injection, manipulation, poisoning) - Traffic flow analysis (NetFlow, application visibility) - Control plane forensics (OMP, BFD, TLOC) - Data plane forensics (packet capture, DPI)

DNAC Forensics

DNA Center and SD-Access forensic procedures.

Investigation Areas: - Assurance investigation (network health, client issues) - SD-Access fabric forensics (LISP, VXLAN, SGT) - DNA Center log analysis (system logs, audit logs) - Template and policy forensics - Device provisioning investigation - Integration forensics (ISE, IPAM, ITSM)

Webex Forensics

Webex Calling and Contact Center forensic procedures.

Investigation Areas: - Call Detail Records (CDR) analysis - Control Hub investigation (admin activity, configuration changes) - Security incident investigation (toll fraud, unauthorized access) - Quality of Service (QoS) forensics - Meeting and messaging forensics - Integration forensics (CUCM, CCP, third-party)

FTD Forensics

Firepower Threat Defense firewall forensic procedures.

Investigation Areas: - Firewall log analysis (connection events, access control) - IPS event investigation (intrusion attempts, signatures, policies) - Connection tracking and session analysis - File inspection and malware detection forensics - SSL decryption investigation - Threat intelligence correlation

Zero Trust Forensics

Identity Services Engine (ISE) and TrustSec forensic procedures.

Investigation Areas: - ISE authentication investigation (RADIUS, 802.1X, MAB) - TrustSec forensics (SGT propagation, SGACL violations) - Access anomaly investigation (unauthorized access, policy bypass) - Endpoint profiling forensics - pxGrid integration investigation - CoA (Change of Authorization) forensics

AI Observability

AI-enhanced forensics using XDR, UEBA, and anomaly detection platforms.

Investigation Areas: - XDR correlation investigation (cross-platform threats) - UEBA behavioral analysis (user anomalies, impossible travel) - Anomaly detection forensics (ML-driven alerts) - Threat intelligence enrichment - Automated playbook forensics - Cross-ribbon correlation analysis

Common Investigation Workflow

All platform-specific forensics follow a standard investigation workflow:

  1. Incident Detection — Alert or anomaly triggers investigation
  2. Scope Definition — Identify affected systems, users, timeframe
  3. Evidence Preservation — Capture volatile data, secure logs
  4. Data Collection — Gather logs, configurations, packet captures
  5. Analysis — Examine evidence, identify root cause
  6. Timeline Reconstruction — Build chronological sequence of events
  7. Impact Assessment — Determine scope and severity
  8. Reporting — Document findings, recommendations
  9. Remediation — Implement fixes, validate effectiveness
  10. Lessons Learned — Update procedures, improve detection

Evidence Types by Platform

Platform Primary Evidence Secondary Evidence
SD-WAN vManage audit logs, OMP debug, IPsec SAs SNMP traps, syslog, NetFlow
DNAC Assurance events, audit trail, device configs AI/ML insights, compliance reports
Webex CDRs, Control Hub audit, admin activity QoS metrics, media quality, diagnostics
FTD Connection events, IPS alerts, file logs Packet captures, SSL decrypt logs
ISE RADIUS Live Logs, pxGrid events, SGT logs Endpoint profiling, CoA events
XDR Cross-platform alerts, UEBA triggers Threat intel, playbook executions

Integration with Other Sections

Network forensics procedures integrate with: - Cybersecurity Framework — Incident response playbooks - Penetration Testing — Post-test forensic validation - SOC Operations — 24x7 investigation workflows

Target Audience

Primary: SOC Analysts, Security Engineers, Incident Responders, Forensic Investigators
Secondary: Network Engineers, Compliance Auditors, Legal Teams

Use the left sidebar to navigate to platform-specific forensics chapters. Each sub-section includes detailed investigation procedures, evidence collection methods, and analysis techniques.