To focus on network-related information without including system logs, which should a security analyst collect?

The collection of NetFlow data is significant for focusing specifically on network-related information. NetFlow is a network protocol developed by Cisco that allows for the monitoring of network traffic flow. It provides detailed information about the traffic passing through a network device, including source and destination IP addresses, ports, and the amount of data being transferred. By analyzing NetFlow data, security analysts can gain insights into network performance, identify potential security threats, and understand usage patterns without having to deal with system logs that pertain to individual device operations or system events.

Additionally, while packet captures are also a valid source of network information, they provide a more granular view of network traffic and may include sensitive data that is not required for high-level analysis and could be overly complex for the task at hand. NetFlow offers a more summarized view which is often sufficient for the purposes of monitoring and analyzing network traffic trends, thus making it more suitable for the requirement of collecting only network-related data.