A network behavioral metric is extracted from a communication network based on a relevancy of the metric to network behavior by identifying a network metric x that is defined as a random variable that represents a quantitative measure of a network behavior accumulated over a period of time, selecting a network feature, generating a metric disintegration model for the network metric x comprising at least one normal behavior probability distribution function for the metric x for each value of the network feature, respectively, and at least one abnormal behavior probability distribution function for the metric x for each value of the network feature, respectively, increasing a number of the values of the metric x that indicates normal network behavior and/or abnormal network behavior based on the metric disintegration model, and selecting a network metric x as a behavioral metric based on a relevancy η of the network metric x to the network behavior. Embodiments for tracking network behavioral changes are also provided.