Which type of analysis involves inspecting a system and software while it operates, including techniques like packet capture and traffic analysis?

The type of analysis that involves inspecting a system and software while it operates, utilizing techniques such as packet capture and traffic analysis, is dynamic analysis. This method assesses the behavior and performance of a program or system in real-time during its execution.

Dynamic analysis allows security professionals to observe the interactions of software with the operating system and network, identify vulnerabilities, and evaluate the responses of a system under various conditions. Packet capture facilitates the collection of data packets transmitted over the network, enabling an examination of the communications and any potential security threats present during operation.

In contrast, static analysis focuses on examining code without executing it, while reverse engineering relates to deconstructing a finished product to understand its components, and side-channel analysis investigates information gained from the physical implementation of the system rather than its operating state. These distinctions highlight why the proper approach for analyzing software behavior during runtime is indeed dynamic analysis.