Advancing Network Anomaly Detection: Comparative Analysis of Machine Learning Models

In the rapidly evolving realm of cyber-security, the detection of network anomalies serves as a pivotal line of defense against a myriad of malicious activities and cyberthreats. This research undertakes the task of enhancing the accuracy and efficacy of network anomaly detection by employing a comparative analysis of various individual machine learning models. The study delves into the performance of distinct models, including Random Forest, Gradient Boosting, AdaBoost, neural networks, and SVM, meticulously scrutinizing their capabilities in detecting network anomalies. The crux of this study lies in its meticulous evaluation of each individual model on the revered NSL-KDD dataset—an established benchmark within the field of network intrusion detection. Through a systematic blend of rigorous mathematical frameworks, precise model implementations, and comprehensive experimental assessments, this research offers a deep understanding of the inner workings of each algorithm. The pivotal aspect of this study revolves around the comprehensive comparative analysis of these standalone models. Going beyond the mere quantifica-tion of accuracy, the exploration delves into aspects of precision, recall, \(F_1\) -score, and more, shedding light on their diverse facets of performance. With achieved accuracies of 99.2419% for Random Forest, 99.5197% for Gradient Boosting, 86.6044% for AdaBoost, 84.00% for neural networks, and 87.00% for SVM, this research underlines the distinctive attributes and potential of each model in the context of network anomaly detection. As the study unravels the distinct strengths and limitations of each model, it contributes to the broader landscape of cyber-security by providing insights into the efficacy of individual machine learning approaches.