Which term describes the technology that analyzes incoming traffic for malicious activity and can automatically redirect it for further analysis?

The technology that analyzes incoming traffic for malicious activity and can automatically redirect it for further analysis is referred to as a sinkhole. A sinkhole is a strategy used primarily in network security and threat mitigation. When malicious traffic is detected, it is redirected away from the intended target to a controlled environment, often a server specifically set up to capture and analyze this traffic without further risk to the network.

This is effective because it allows security teams to gather intelligence on the nature of the threat, understand attack patterns, and implement measures to mitigate future risks. The sinkhole acts as a trap for malicious traffic, providing insight into the behavior of threat actors and enabling quicker responses to ongoing attacks.

While firewalls are designed to block or allow traffic based on predefined security rules, and Intrusion Detection Systems monitor and alert on suspicious activities, neither of these options typically includes the capability to automatically redirect traffic for analysis in the same manner that a sinkhole does. Vulnerability scanners are tools meant to assess the security posture of systems by identifying potential vulnerabilities rather than actively dealing with malicious incoming traffic. This is why sinkhole is the most accurate term for the described technology.