How does deep packet inspection (DPI) enhance network security?

Deep packet inspection (DPI) identifies threats hidden within network traffic data by examining the contents of packets beyond just the header information. It analyzes the actual data payloads of packets to detect potentially malicious content or patterns that indicate security risks. DPI can inspect for malware, viruses, intrusion attempts, phishing attempts, and other forms of cyber threats by comparing the contents against known signatures, behavioral patterns, rules, or heuristics. Additionally, DPI can perform application detection to identify specific protocols or applications being used, which can help in detecting policy violations or suspicious activities.