> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex-xpanse/learn-about-cortex-xpanse/network-mapping.md). # Network mapping Cortex Xpanse discovers and intelligently attributes assets to organizations, helping you discover and protect previously unknown internet-connected systems. Through this network mapping process you will understand your organization's true public-facing network perimeter. ## Asset discovery and attribution Cortex Xpanse uses a variety of methods to discover and attribute internet-facing assets to your organization. These methods include: * **IP Registration**—An IP range’s registry information mentions information about your organization. Cortex Xpanse pulls from all regional internet registry databases, including ARIN, RIPE, APNIC, LACNIC, and AFRINIC. Registry information in your Cortex Xpanse instance is updated approximately biweekly. * **ASN Advertisement**—An autonomous system number (ASN) assigned to you advertises your IP range as a BGP prefix. * **Certificate**—An IP range advertised one of your certificates. * **DNS**—A DNS record points to an IP in your IP range. Cortex Xpanse gets its domains and DNS data from a combination of active and passive global collection techniques. * **Self-Provided**—The asset was on an IP address list provided by your organization or was attributed by Cortex Xpanse for a reason other than those listed above. Cortex Xpanse discovers cloud assets using domain and certificate observations because IP registration data is not useful for cloud-hosted assets. We can also pull in known cloud assets through integrations with cloud service providers, such as Azure, AWS, and GCP. ## Human-in-the-loop An expert analyst oversees a human-in-the-loop system which leverages our proprietary AI models to produce network maps of the highest confidence and completeness. Your Internet-facing assets are always under attack from targeted and opportunistic attackers. Without a continuously updated, accurate inventory of those assets, you leave unknown or unmonitored assets exposed to threats. Cortex Xpanse discovers and helps remediate any exposures on those assets. A primary advantage of Cortex Xpanse is combining leading-edge automated network mapping analysis with expert insights and validation. Cortex Xpanse experts understand the intricacies and idiosyncrasies of asset scanning and attribution. The end-result for Cortex Xpanse customers is fewer false positives and development of naming schemas and patterns that lead to broader asset discovery than what you see with fully automated scanning engines alone. ## Does Cortex Xpanse include assets for vendors, partners, and subsidiaries? Standard contracts for Cortex Xpanse include mapping and reporting on your core company's attack surface as well as named subsidiaries. Depending on the contract, or an additional statement of work, we can map and report on additional vendors, partners, or acquisitions. Contact your customer success manager for more information. --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter: ``` GET https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex-xpanse/learn-about-cortex-xpanse/network-mapping.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.