Tap

A Tap (Test Access Point) is a specialized, passive hardware device designed to non-intrusively intercept and copy network traffic in real time. Installed directly inline within the network infrastructure, a tap creates a full-duplex replica of all data flowing between two network points. Unlike port mirroring, a tap guarantees the capture of every packet—including errors and low-level protocol exchanges—without altering network timing or introducing latency, ensuring complete fidelity of the captured data stream.

Taps are fundamental tools for Network & Infrastructure Security, providing unparalleled visibility into network communications. Security professionals use taps to feed comprehensive traffic data to monitoring and analytical tools such as intrusion detection systems (IDS), data loss prevention (DLP) solutions, and network forensics platforms. By delivering an unadulterated view of all data traversing critical network segments, taps are indispensable for proactive threat detection, incident response, forensic investigations, and compliance monitoring, significantly strengthening an organization's overall cybersecurity posture.