What is the role of dynamic analysis in Zscaler's protection mechanisms?

Dynamic analysis plays a critical role in Zscaler's protection mechanisms by evaluating unknown files in a controlled, isolated environment. This process involves executing potentially harmful files in a sandbox to observe their behavior and interactions with the system. By doing so, Zscaler can determine whether a file is a threat based on its behavior during execution, rather than relying solely on static attributes or predefined signatures. This is especially important for detecting zero-day threats or sophisticated malware that may not be captured by traditional signature-based methods.

The isolated environment ensures that any malicious actions taken by the file do not affect the actual operating system or network, thus maintaining security while enabling thorough analysis. This proactive approach allows organizations to mitigate risks and make informed decisions on whether to allow, block, or quarantine suspicious files before they pose a threat to users or systems.