Baseline Traffic Data Format

C.

Out of the options provided, NetFlow is the most efficient data format for building a baseline of traffic seen over an extended period of time.

NetFlow is a protocol developed by Cisco that collects and analyzes IP network traffic data. It provides a granular view of network traffic and is designed to be highly scalable. NetFlow can help organizations detect network anomalies, such as security breaches, and optimize network performance by providing visibility into traffic patterns.

NetFlow collects information about each network flow, including the source and destination IP addresses, source and destination port numbers, protocol, and amount of data transferred. This data is then exported to a collector, which can be used for analysis and reporting.

Using NetFlow data to build a baseline of traffic seen over an extended period of time is efficient because it allows organizations to track traffic patterns over time and identify anomalies. By analyzing the data, security teams can identify normal network behavior and quickly identify any deviations that may indicate a security threat.

In contrast, syslog messages, firewall event logs, and full packet captures may provide similar information, but they are less efficient for building a baseline over an extended period of time. Syslog messages and firewall event logs are typically focused on specific events or activities, while full packet captures require significant storage and processing resources.

In summary, NetFlow is the most efficient data format for building a baseline of traffic seen over an extended period of time due to its granular view of network traffic, scalability, and ability to identify anomalies.