What does an Intrusion Detection System (IDS) primarily do?

An Intrusion Detection System (IDS) primarily focuses on monitoring network or system activities for malicious activities or policy violations. When traffic is analyzed or system events are logged, the IDS identifies potential security breaches, which could include attacks from various sources, such as malware, unauthorized access attempts, or other forms of intrusion.

The key function of an IDS is to alert administrators about possible attacks or suspicious activities, providing vital information that can be used for incident response and further investigation. By reporting attacks against monitored systems, an IDS plays a critical role in an organization’s overall security posture, enabling timely action to mitigate threats and reduce the risk of data breaches.

Understanding the primary role of an IDS is essential for effective network security management, as it serves as a detection mechanism rather than a preventive or corrective tool, which differentiates it from other security controls that might manage access, encrypt data, or filter traffic.