How are applications classified by Palo Alto Networks?

Applications are classified by Palo Alto Networks based on their behavior, protocol usage, and application layer features. This sophisticated classification process allows the company to recognize and understand the distinct characteristics of various applications.

In practice, applications can exhibit different behaviors depending on how they interact with network protocols and the data they handle. By analyzing these aspects, Palo Alto Networks can classify applications not just by the traditional port or protocol numbers but also by considering specific application functions and activities at the application layer. This leads to a more nuanced security approach, enabling the identification of threats, enforcement of policies, and the ability to provide visibility into traffic based on application use rather than merely adhering to older models that rely solely on port numbers.

This comprehensive classification is essential in a modern threat landscape where applications can operate over standard ports to evade traditional security measures. Thus, the focus on behavior and characteristics enhances the effectiveness of security protocols and promotes better decision-making for network security.