Description: Usage monitoring is the practice of tracking and analyzing how resources are utilized within a system. This activity is fundamental for the efficient management of technological resources, as it allows organizations to identify usage patterns, detect anomalies, and optimize system performance. In the context of cybersecurity, usage monitoring becomes an essential tool for preventing and responding to security incidents, as it provides visibility into activities occurring across various systems and applications. Additionally, it facilitates the management of security posture in cloud environments, enabling companies to ensure that their data and applications are protected. Through network function virtualization, usage monitoring also helps manage traffic and prevent DDoS attacks, ensuring that resources are available and functioning correctly. In summary, usage monitoring is a comprehensive practice that encompasses multiple aspects of technology and security, being crucial for the effective management of modern systems.
History: Usage monitoring has its roots in the evolution of computing and the need to efficiently manage computing resources. As organizations began adopting more complex operating systems in the 1970s and 1980s, the need for tools that could track resource usage such as CPU, memory, and storage emerged. With technological advancements, especially in the 1990s, more sophisticated solutions were developed that integrated real-time monitoring capabilities. The advent of cloud computing in the 2000s took usage monitoring to a new level, allowing companies to manage distributed and scalable resources more effectively.
Uses: Usage monitoring is utilized in various areas, including operating system security, where it helps detect unauthorized access and suspicious behavior. In cyber intelligence, it aids in identifying attack patterns and anticipating threats. In security information and event management, it is used to collect and analyze data that may indicate security incidents. In cloud environments, usage monitoring is crucial for ensuring that resources are used efficiently and securely. It is also applied in network function virtualization to manage traffic and prevent DDoS attacks.
Examples: An example of usage monitoring is security information and event management (SIEM) software, which collects and analyzes data from multiple sources to detect security incidents. Another example is the use of cloud monitoring tools, such as AWS CloudWatch, which allows companies to track resource usage in their cloud instances. Additionally, in the context of virtualization, tools like VMware vRealize Operations provide usage and performance analytics for virtual machines.
