Since the logs on the endpoint were deleted, the next best option for the analyst is to examine firewall logs.
Firewall logs can reveal external communication, including outbound traffic to a command-and-control (C2) server. These logs would contain information about the IP addresses, ports, and protocols used, which can help in identifying suspicious connections.
* IPS logs may provide information about network intrusions, but firewall logs are better for tracking communication patterns.
* ACL logs (Access Control List) are useful for tracking access permissions but not for identifying C2 communication.
* Windows security logs would have been ideal if they had not been deleted