Corelight is a leading open Network Detection and Response (NDR) platform that provides comprehensive visibility into network activity using high-fidelity telemetry and evidence-rich insights. Built on open-source technologies like Zeek and Suricata, Corelight enables security teams to detect threats faster, investigate incidents with precision, and strengthen defenses across hybrid and multi-cloud environments.
Corelight’s mission is to transform raw network traffic into rich, structured data that empowers defenders. Whether deployed in on-premise, cloud, or hybrid environments, Corelight helps enterprises improve threat hunting, forensics, and real-time detection by offering unmatched transparency and flexibility.
Features
Corelight offers a robust suite of features for enterprise-grade NDR:
Zeek-Based Network Telemetry
Converts raw network packets into detailed logs and metadata using the industry-standard Zeek framework.Suricata IDS Integration
Incorporates signature-based intrusion detection using Suricata for deep packet inspection and rule matching.Smart PCAP Capture
On-demand, filtered packet capture allows security teams to extract only the traffic needed for investigations.Protocol Enrichment
Deep protocol parsing and context enrichment help analysts understand the “who, what, when, where, and how” of each interaction.Encrypted Traffic Analysis
Detects threats in encrypted traffic using behavioral analysis and metadata, without decrypting content.Open and Flexible Architecture
Outputs structured data in open formats compatible with SIEM, SOAR, and data lakes like Splunk, Elastic, and Snowflake.Cloud & Hybrid Deployment Support
Offers cloud-native sensors and integrations for AWS, Azure, and multi-cloud networks.Machine Learning-Driven Detections
Enhances threat detection with advanced analytics trained on real-world traffic.
How It Works
Corelight passively monitors network traffic by deploying lightweight sensors across cloud, on-premises, and hybrid environments. Here’s how the platform functions:
Traffic Ingestion
Sensors capture live network packets without disrupting operations.Data Transformation
Zeek parses traffic into human-readable logs and enriched metadata. Suricata inspects for known threats using signatures.Detection & Alerting
Anomalies, signature matches, and behavioral patterns are flagged with contextual insights.Data Export & Integration
Structured logs and alerts are forwarded to downstream systems such as SIEMs (Splunk, Sentinel), SOAR tools, or threat intel platforms.Investigation & Response
Analysts use evidence-rich logs and filtered PCAP to perform fast, effective investigations.
This workflow supports threat hunting, incident response, and long-term security analytics at scale.
Use Cases
Corelight supports a wide range of cybersecurity use cases across industries:
Threat Detection and Investigation
Identify and respond to attacks with high-fidelity network evidence.Incident Response and Forensics
Conduct detailed analysis with Zeek logs and Smart PCAP for root cause identification.Threat Hunting
Enable proactive detection of stealthy threats using custom detections and behavioral analysis.Zero Trust Network Visibility
Enforce zero trust strategies by monitoring lateral movement and policy violations.Encrypted Traffic Monitoring
Detect anomalies in TLS sessions without decrypting payloads.Cloud Security
Monitor VPC flow logs, AWS traffic mirroring, and cloud-native workloads.
Pricing
Corelight offers a custom pricing model based on:
Number of sensors and data volume
Type of deployment (cloud, on-prem, hybrid)
Integration and feature requirements
Support and service levels
Strengths
Built on Open Source: Corelight enhances trusted projects like Zeek and Suricata with enterprise features.
Evidence-Rich Telemetry: Provides complete, structured logs that aid fast and accurate investigations.
Flexible Integration: Works with existing SIEM, SOAR, and data lake tools using open formats.
Cloud-Ready: Designed to secure modern workloads across public clouds and hybrid networks.
Scalable and High-Performance: Operates at enterprise scale with high throughput and low latency.
Community and Ecosystem Support: Backed by leading security researchers and open-source contributors.
Drawbacks
Requires Network Expertise: Zeek and Suricata’s data richness can be complex for beginners.
Enterprise-Focused: May be excessive for small teams or SMBs with basic NDR needs.
No Public Trial: Evaluation requires engaging with sales for access to sensors and support.
Despite these limitations, Corelight delivers unmatched network visibility and detection power for organizations with mature security operations.
Comparison with Other Tools
Corelight differentiates itself in the crowded NDR and security analytics landscape:
Compared to Darktrace or Vectra AI: Corelight emphasizes transparency and open data, whereas others rely on opaque AI models.
Versus Palo Alto or Cisco NDR: Corelight offers vendor-neutral integrations and deep packet visibility across heterogeneous networks.
Relative to CrowdStrike or SentinelOne: These focus on endpoint detection; Corelight complements them with network-layer insight.
Against Traditional IDS Tools: Corelight enriches detection with contextual metadata and behavior-based insight, not just signatures.
Its open-source foundation, combined with enterprise-grade packaging, makes Corelight a preferred choice for SOCs and threat hunters.
Customer Reviews and Testimonials
Corelight is trusted by global enterprises, government agencies, and financial institutions. While public reviews are limited due to the platform’s enterprise focus, the website highlights impactful results:
“Corelight gave us unprecedented visibility into lateral movement and encrypted threats.”
“Our SOC analysts are more efficient with Zeek logs and Smart PCAP—less noise, more context.”
“Seamless integration with Splunk and our existing SIEM made deployment easy.”
Corelight has been recognized by industry analysts and frequently participates in cybersecurity research and standards bodies.
Conclusion
Corelight delivers a powerful and transparent solution for network detection and response, empowering security teams with the evidence and visibility they need to detect and respond to threats confidently. With its foundation in open source and its enterprise-ready architecture, Corelight stands out as a trusted platform for high-fidelity telemetry, rapid investigation, and proactive security posture.
Whether you’re looking to modernize your NDR strategy, secure your cloud workloads, or enhance SOC operations, Corelight offers a scalable, intelligent, and open path forward.
