What is the primary characteristic of passive monitoring?

The primary characteristic of passive monitoring is that it relies on actual traffic and operates by analyzing data after issues have occurred. This type of monitoring works by listening to network traffic without actively altering it, allowing for the collection of information on what is happening in the network environment. This makes passive monitoring an essential tool for understanding historical trends, identifying vulnerabilities, and forensic analysis after a security incident has taken place.

While this approach does not preemptively signal issues or requires real-time interventions, it provides valuable insights into patterns of behavior, traffic anomalies, or breaches once they manifest. Such insights help organizations in their post-incident analysis and contribute to improving security posture over time by identifying areas that need fortification against future threats.