Intrusion Detection System

Intrusion detection system (IDS) is a security solution that monitors network traffic and computer systems for malicious and suspicious activities. And it detects and alerts when such incidents or events are discovered in the information systems. The primary functions of IDS is detecting and reporting anomalies, even though some IDSs are capable of taking appropriate measures when suspicious and malicious activities or anomalous network traffic is detected.

IDS and Intrusion detection system (IPS) share some similarities and differences when it comes to deal with security incidents. Like IDS, IPS monitors, detects and responds to malicious network packets, suspicious systems activates, and security threats. However, as opposed to IDS, the primary goal of IPS is preventing security threats besides to detecting and reporting the threats.

IDSs are security solutions that are used to detect anomalous activities with the aim of dealing with the cybercriminals before they instigate real harm to a network and computer systems. Furthermore, intrusion detection system can be network-based intrusion detection system (NIDS) and host-based intrusion detection system (HIDS). The HIDS is deployed on the host or client computer systems and other endpoint devices. Whereas an NIDS is placed at the network systems of an organization. Besides, intrusion detection systems work by either looking for common signatures of known cyberattacks or deviations from normal networks and computer systems activities.

Intrusion detection systems (IDSs) can be applicable as a software application running on host computers or as a hardware based security appliance. Due to the proliferation of cloud applications, cloud-based intrusion detection systems are also applicable and available to protect data and applications hosted in the cloud environments.

Common types of intrusion detection types include the following:

• Network-based intrusion detection system (NIDS): consists of a network appliance with a network interface card (NIC) that operates in promiscuous mode and separate management console or interface. Further, it is deployed along a network subnet or boundary, and monitors and detects all network traffic on that particular segment.
• Host-based intrusion detection systems (HIDS): a software agent deployed on workstation whose activities will be monitored. The agent monitors the operating system of the host computer, writes data to log files, and triggers alarms when necessary. These intrusion detection systems are installed on workstations and servers that host sensitive and critical data and systems.
• Anomaly-based / Behavior-based intrusion detection system (AIDS): These intrusion detection systems, on the other hand, are based on a baseline or learned patterns of normal system and network activities to identify active intrusion attempts by cybercriminals.
• Signature-based / Knowledge-based intrusion detection systems (SIDS): This intrusion detection system is based on a database of previous attack signatures and common system vulnerabilities.

Intrusion detection systems could have the following benefits if deployed properly:

• Detect Distributed denial of service / Denial of service (DDoS/DoS) attacks
• Monitor and detect security threats in network devices and computer systems
• Serve as additional layer of security or defense in depth functions
• Maintain compliance and regulatory requirements
• Help to reduce workloads of security teams on detecting attacks in real-time
• More