PVS monitors data at which layer?

The PVS, or Passive Vulnerability Scanner, is designed to monitor network traffic for vulnerabilities and can effectively analyze data at the Packet layer. This is the third layer in the OSI model and is responsible for routing and delivering packets across networks. By operating at this layer, the PVS can inspect the contents of packets, including the headers and data payloads, to identify potential security threats, ensure compliance with policies, and assess the overall security posture of the network.

Monitoring at the Packet layer allows the PVS to gain insights into various protocols and their behaviors, which are essential for detecting vulnerabilities and anomalies within network traffic. This capability is critical for effective vulnerability assessments, making PVS a powerful tool within the ACAS framework for maintaining network security and compliance.

In contrast, the other layers—Bit, Frame, and Segment—serve different functions. The Bit layer pertains to physical transmission of data, the Frame layer focuses on data link protocols and frame structures, and the Segment layer relates to the transport layer, where data is segmented for transmission. While these layers are important in their own right, they do not provide the same level of detailed insight into packet-level vulnerabilities as monitoring at the Packet layer does.