In various embodiments, a data-driven model is provided for an application detection engine for the detection and identification of network-based applications. In one embodiment, information can be input into an application detection database. The information may include a hostname, ports, transport protocol (TCP/UDP), higher layer protocol (SOCKS, HTTP, SMTP, FTP, etc), or the like. The information may be associated with a given application. The information may be used to create rule sets or custom program logic used by one or more various application detection engines for determining whether network traffic has been initiated by a given application. The information may be dynamically loaded and updated at the application detection engine.