Explain Suricata alerts in the context of the scenario
When Suricata alerts appears in a brief, the useful question is not simply βwhat is it?β but βwhat decision does it affect?β In security onion, students can connect the technical detail to network-security monitoring evidence from Security Onion. That connection creates analysis instead of a list of disconnected facts.
Where possible, compare the expected state with the observed state. For security onion, that comparison gives the reader a clear basis for judging whether the control, configuration, artefact or result is acceptable.
Show why PCAP analysis changes the conclusion
For PCAP analysis, evidence should be selected before writing the conclusion. Record the observation, identify the relevant context, then explain what the observation can and cannot prove. This avoids overclaiming and gives the security onion report a more defensible academic tone.
A useful discussion also acknowledges constraints. Time, available evidence, lab scope, legal boundaries and incomplete data can all limit what can be concluded about alert triage or hunt evidence.