Deep Packet Inspection vs Metadata Analysis – DPI has come popular since it provides a veritably detailed business analysis. still, this approach requires designated tackle detectors and large quantities of processing power, while at the same time being eyeless to translated network business and only assaying data flowing over the imaged structure.
Metadata analysis( Mama) overcomes these limitations to give detailed and sapience-amended visibility into the entire network. likewise, MA is fully innocent of encryption and the ever-adding quantum of the network business. These advantages make Mama-grounded NDR results from a superior and unborn-proof volition to NDR results counting on deep packet examination.
Ultramodern associations are characterized by complex IT surroundings and expanding attack shells. To cover themselves, they need a robust cyber armature with a dependable Network Discovery and Response( NDR) result. NDR is pivotal to descry suspicious actions and vicious actors and snappily responding to pitfalls. NDR tools continuously dissect businesses to make models of “ normal ” geste on enterprise networks, descry suspicious businesses, and raise cautions.
Traditional NDR results calculate on deep packet examination( DPI). This approach supports detailed analysis and has therefore come relatively popular. But as data volumes increase and network business becomes decreasingly translated, similar results are getting shy to cover enterprise networks moving forward. What associations now need is more unborn- evidence of NDR results erected on metadata analysis.
In this composition, we explore and compare two NDR approaches deep packet examination and metadata analysis. We’ll examine why metadata analysis is a superior discovery technology to cover IT/ OT networks from advanced cyber pitfalls.
What is Deep Packet Inspection (DPI), and how does it work?
Deep packet examination is the traditional approach to NDR. DPI monitors enterprise business by examining the data packets flowing across a specific connection point or core switch. The program evaluates the packet’s entire contents, such as its title and data parts, to check for intrusions, contagions, spam, and other problems. However, it blocks the packet from moving through the connection point if it finds similar issues.
DPI relies on business mirroring. Therefore, DPI provides rich information and supports a detailed analysis of each packet at the covered connection points. This is one of its biggest benefits.
Why Is DPI not enough to detect Advanced Cyberattacks?
One of the significant drawbacks of DPI is that it requires a lot of processing power to thoroughly examine and analyze the data portion of a packet. In data-heavy networks, it is not suitable for high-bandwidth networks because it cannot see all network packets.
Also provides a detailed analysis of the network traffic transmitted and forwarded through the monitored core switch. As less and less network traffic passes through core switches, DPI provides limited visibility into IT networks.

The New Approach: Metadata Analysis
Metadata anatomizing has evolved to meet the requirements of DPI. This is. This is without analyzing the entire data section of every packet. Consequently, metadata valuation isn’t affected by encryption and can impact any network business. Metadata can capture many different key attributes, which successfully help detect and prevent superior cyberattacks:
- IP addresses and port numbers of the host and server as well as their geolocation records are displayed
- information regarding DNS and DHCP for mapping devices to IP addresses supplied by using DNS and DHCP
- A list of all the internet pages that have been accessed, along with the URL and header facts for every web page
- the use of DC log data to map customers to systems is an example of such mapping
- Encrypted internet pages – encryption kind, cipher and hash, purchaser/server FQDN
- There are special hashes related to various objects – for example, JavaScript and images
How can Security Teams benefit from metadata-based NDR?
Unlike DPI, MA-based NDR solutions offer robust and future-proof network analysis capabilities to protect organizations from known and unknown cyber threats. MA technology has shown that it can handle increasing network traffic and is completely unaffected by encryption, allowing organizations to detect and prevent even sophisticated cyberattacks.
They can continually monitor suspicious activity on all devices and endpoints connected to them. Such holistic, comprehensive, and reliable visibility is just not possible with DPI.
Conclusion: The Future of Cybersecurity is the analysis of Metadata
ExeonTrace is a leading NDR solution based entirely on metadata analysis. Unlike standard DPI-grounded structures, ExeonTrace offers smart information exchange, is encrypted-free, and they can’t contain any tackle detectors.
Furthermore, ExeonTrace can effectively address excessive-bandwidth traffic as it reduces network volumes and provides more efficient data storage. Consequently, ExeonTrace is the NDR answer to the desire for flexible and high-bandwidth company networks.