What type of evidence is the observation of a firewall configuration?

The observation of a firewall configuration is classified as technical evidence because it directly pertains to the technical controls and measures in place to protect an organization's information systems. Technical evidence encompasses any data or information that relates to the technologies being utilized to secure information, including configurations, software, and hardware components involved in security architecture.

Firewalls serve to monitor and control incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules, making their configuration crucial to understanding how well an organization is protecting itself from cyber threats. When an auditor observes the firewall configuration, they are assessing the technical aspects of the organization's security posture, validity of controls, and compliance with established security policies.

Other types of evidence, such as analytical or mathematical, focus on data analysis or statistical methods, while physical evidence pertains to tangible, physical controls and environments. In the case of firewall configurations, the focus is on the rules and settings of the device, firmly placing this evidence in the technical realm.