Methods, Communication Networks, and Computer Program Products for Monitoring, Examining, and/or Blocking Traffic Associated with a Network Element Based on Whether the Network Element Can be Trusted

A communication network, comprising:

• a verification system that is to determine whether a network element can be trusted by:
• generating a first hash value based on data associated with the network element wherein the first hash value is based on a configuration of the network element at a first time and the first hash value is an acceptable result for the configuration of the network element;
• generating a second hash value based on the data associated with the network element wherein the second hash value is based on a configuration of the network element at a second time different than the first time;
• and
• comparing the first hash value with the second hash value to determine whether the network element can be trusted;
• and
• a monitor that is connected to the verification system and is to monitor traffic associated with the network element based on whether the network element can be trusted.