Passive Scanning
Noun · Security & Infosec
Definitions
The observation and analysis of existing traffic or broadcasts to identify devices, services, or vulnerabilities without actively probing targets. Passive scanning is useful in sensitive environments where active probing could cause disruption or be detected as suspicious.
In plain English: Learning about systems by watching existing traffic instead of probing them directly.
Example: "The OT team relied on passive scanning because active probes against the plant controllers were considered too risky."