Packets from a computer outside the network are being dropped on the way to a computer inside the network. Which of the following would be MOST useful to determine the cause of this?

The most useful tool to determine why packets from a computer outside the network are being dropped on their way to a computer inside the network is the firewall log. Firewall logs provide detailed information about the traffic that is being permitted or denied access to the network. They can show entries for incoming packets, including specific reasons for blockages, such as matching security policies or rules that filter unwanted traffic.

By reviewing the firewall logs, a cybersecurity analyst can identify the source of the dropped packets, the destination they were intended for, and the policies in place that led to their rejection. This enables a precise diagnosis of the situation and aids in troubleshooting any misconfigurations or necessary adjustments to firewall rules.

The other options, while potentially useful in different contexts, would not be as directly informative for this specific situation. A packet capture tool focuses on capturing data packets for analysis, which may not readily clarify why packets are being dropped. A network topology map could help visualize the network structure, but it would not provide insight into the rules governing packet filtering and denial. A port status monitor would indicate whether specific ports are open or closed but would not show the reasons for packet drops. Hence, firewall logs are the most suitable resource for understanding the cause of packet loss in this scenario.