An IDS is a network tool that detects and alerts if there are threats. At the same time, an IPS stops the threat. Using signature-based or anomaly detection, an IPS can identify vulnerabilities and malicious activity and respond automatically.
It can include sending an alert, disconnecting the offending device, blocking traffic, or resetting the connection.
What is IDS?
One of the most critical technologies that enhance network security is the IDS (intrusion detection system). By constantly monitoring and analyzing network traffic, IDS can detect any signs of malicious activities and help prevent cyber threats. If it detects something abnormal, it will trigger an alert that lets IT teams know there may be a threat on the network. Additionally effective network mapping enhances the capabilities of IDS by providing a comprehensive view of the organization’s digital infrastructure, aiding in the accurate identification of potential security threats.
IDS uses a database of predefined rules and patterns to compare against current network activity, identifying potentially suspicious or malicious activity. When an IDS device detects movement that resonates with one of these criteria, it generates an alert and sends a copy to an SIEM platform.
Because IDS devices are prone to false alarms, tuning them properly is essential. Otherwise, they could be oversensitive and produce thousands of irrelevant warnings. Alternatively, they could be undersensitive and miss actual threats, leaving IT and security teams utterly unaware of an attack on the network.
Different types of IDS technology take a unique approach to how they function. For example, a host-based IDS is installed directly on an endpoint and zeroes in on exclusive activities to the host machine. Unlike network-based IDS (NIDS), which is designed to monitor a wide range of network activity, host-based IDS can be vulnerable to evasion techniques that prevent it from detecting attacks.
What is IPS?
An IPS is an integral network security infrastructure component that prevents real-time attacks. Unlike an IDS, which only detects suspicious activity and raises alerts, an IPS solution can immediately take remediating action. Typically deployed inline, an IPS monitors all passing traffic and then takes the appropriate measures depending on configuration and policy. IPS solutions effectively block many threats, such as denial of service, distributed denial of service, worms, and viruses.
Unlike IDS, an IPS can stop malicious attacks, protecting against malware and vindictive behavior like hacking attempts. Using signature-based detection, IPSs inspect network packets and compare them to pre-built attack patterns to identify malicious or potentially harmful activity. It helps to minimize the number of false positives that can disrupt the flow of regular network traffic, reducing overall performance and productivity.
IPSs are also capable of closing loopholes in a system’s security that could be exploited in the future and can take steps to stop command and control attacks, even those that use evasion methods such as fragmentation or encryption. These types of IPSs are also effective in reducing the frequency of brute-force password attacks, minimizing availability threats, and blocking efforts to gain access to sensitive information.
What is the Difference Between IDS and IPS?
Organizations must use various defensive strategies to safeguard their networks as cyberattacks continue to evolve. IDS and IPS are defenses against hackers and unauthorized users that assist in keeping your company safe. IDS and IPS differ significantly, even if they also have certain commonalities. To determine which solution to choose between IDS vs IPS, you must learn more about their differences.
IDS systems monitor network activity and flag suspicious packets by comparing data packets to a database of known threats. It is a passive process that only notifies the network administrator if it discovers possible intrusions.
IPS solutions are more active than IDS. They go a step further than just detecting and alerting, and they also take action by blocking or dropping malicious packets. It can significantly reduce the threat that would otherwise enter your network.
Anomaly detection is a function found in IDS and IPS tools that identifies malicious behavior in data organically rather than referencing the signature of a known attack. It allows them to detect new and evolving threats that wouldn’t have been caught by a traditional IDS tool. While some vendors offer IDS and IPS as separate solutions, others combine them into a single solution for easier management. It is called Unified Threat Management (UTM). While this makes it easier to manage both, the two systems have different capabilities for monitoring and taking action.
Which is Better for Your Network?
Ultimately, choosing an IDS or IPS will depend on your network and security goals. Both systems can help with threat detection and alerting, but an IPS solution takes the next step of actively blocking any potential attack traffic. It can provide more protection for a network as it leaves less of a window for an attacker to cause damage or infiltrate the organization.
IDS solutions can use signature-based or anomaly-based detection methods to spot suspicious activity on a network. Signature-based detection compares current network activity with a predetermined list of known attack patterns to identify possible incidents and generates an alert if it finds a match. Although this approach has limits regarding how soon it can identify new attacks or harmful activities that still need to be placed, it can be helpful to ensure that the database is updated regularly.
Anomaly-based detection attempts to build a model of normal behavior on the network and then compares all future activity to this model. It is a more accurate way to detect threats because it can spot malicious behaviors that have not been seen before but can also be susceptible to false positives. Some IDS solutions combine both detection methodologies for a more comprehensive approach. It can be helpful for networks where the availability of a system must remain high because it will alert users and stop suspicious activity while leaving the system open to continued use.