Network Forensics Foundation¶
Key Innovations¶
1. Blockchain Evidence Ledger - Distributed immutable ledger for evidence chain of custody - SHA-256 hash anchoring with timestamp verification - Tamper-proof audit trail for legal proceedings - Automated evidence integrity validation
2. Multi-Platform Correlation - Integration across 10+ security platforms - 4 AI engines providing investigative intelligence - Cross-domain forensic analysis (network, security, application) - Automated timeline reconstruction
3. AI-Enhanced Forensics - Deep Network Model (DNM): Anomaly detection and prediction - Splunk MLTK: Behavioral analytics and threat hunting - Cognition Engine: Application performance forensics - ThousandEyes AI: Network path forensics - XDR Analytics: Security event correlation
Forensics Platform Integration¶
| Platform | Forensics Capability | Evidence Types | Retention |
|---|---|---|---|
| Catalyst Center | Network telemetry, Assurance AI, client health | PCAP, NetFlow, syslogs, config snapshots | 90 days |
| Splunk Enterprise | SIEM correlation, MLTK analytics, timeline reconstruction | Logs from all sources, ML model outputs | 1 year |
| ISE | AAA logs, posture assessment, pxGrid context | Auth logs, session data, profiler classifications | 180 days |
| vManage | SD-WAN analytics, OMP routing, IPsec tunnels | vEdge syslogs, DPI data, application visibility | 90 days |
| FMC/FTD | Firewall events, connection logs, IPS alerts | Connection events, file analysis, malware verdicts | 1 year |
| XDR (SecureX) | Cross-platform correlation, threat intelligence, playbooks | Ribbons, alerts, IOCs, incident timelines | 2 years |
| ThousandEyes | Network path analysis, BGP monitoring, application layer | HTTP archive (HAR), path traces, DNS queries | 90 days |
| AppDynamics | APM transactions, code-level traces, database queries | Transaction snapshots, error analytics, SQL statements | 30 days |
| Webex Control Hub | Call Detail Records (CDR), quality metrics, admin logs | CDR, CMR, audit logs, SIP ladder diagrams | 90 days |
| Duo Admin Panel | Authentication logs, device trust, MFA events | Auth logs, phone home, policy evaluations | 180 days |
Investigation Types Supported¶
| Investigation Type | Trigger | Primary Platforms | Typical Duration | Success Criteria |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malware C2 Communication | XDR Alert (malware detected) | XDR, FTD, Splunk, DNAC | 2-6 hours | C2 IP/domain identified, lateral movement mapped |
| Data Exfiltration | DLP alert, unusual egress traffic | FTD, Umbrella, Splunk, DNAC | 4-12 hours | Exfiltrated data volume quantified, attacker methodology documented |
| Insider Threat | UEBA anomaly, privilege escalation | Splunk MLTK, ISE, XDR, Duo | 8-24 hours | User activity timeline reconstructed, data access scope determined |
| Webex Toll Fraud | Billing anomaly, international calling spike | Webex Control Hub, SBC logs | 4-8 hours | Fraud calls identified, attack vector determined, $$ loss calculated |
| Rogue Access Point | DNAC rogue detection, RF interference | DNAC, WLC, Splunk | 2-4 hours | Rogue AP location identified, clients impacted, attacker device fingerprinted |
| SD-WAN Attack | vManage alert, tunnel anomaly | vManage, FTD, ThousandEyes | 4-8 hours | Attack type determined (OMP injection, IPsec hijack), impact scope |
| Zero Trust Bypass | Duo MFA bypass, device trust violation | Duo, ISE, XDR, Splunk | 4-12 hours | Bypass methodology documented, affected users identified |
| AgenticOps Forensics | AI workflow unexpected action | Splunk, DNAC, vManage, ISE | 1-3 hours | AI decision chain validated, action justified or corrected |