IDS and IPS systems monitor network activity, alerting you to potential threats. They may also use machine learning to understand patterns and emerging threats better. An anomaly-based IDS will understand what “normal” network traffic looks like, making it less likely to generate false positives. However, it cannot block malicious behavior without affecting other legitimate activities.
IDS vs. IPS
Where does the line between vigilant watch and decisive action blur in the digital fortress? This is the realm of IDS and IPS. Intrusion detection systems (IDS) are keen-eyed scouts, scanning the network for suspicious activity like malware patterns or unauthorized access attempts. They raise the alarm, alerting defenders to potential breaches. But intrusion prevention systems (IPS) are battle-hardened warriors. Upon detecting a threat, they slam the gates shut, blocking malicious traffic and shielding vulnerable systems. They act as the first line of defense, preventing attacks before they can inflict damage. So, where does IPS vs IDS fit in the network? IDS stands as the watchful observer, gathering intelligence and sounding the alarm. IPS becomes the frontline hero, taking decisive action to repel the invader. Both are crucial elements in a layered defense, working together to secure the digital gates.
While an IDS is a passive monitoring solution, an IPS takes action to defend against threats. It monitors live network traffic 24/7, analyzing each packet and comparing it to a database of known attack patterns. It also uses anomaly detection to look for behavior that deviates from normal usage, such as attempts at exploiting known vulnerabilities. The IPS then reports the incident to security administrators and blocks the threat in real time by removing network access, terminating the user session, or resetting the compromised connection. It can also shut down entire network segments and reroute traffic around the affected area. But, this method of protection has its challenges. For example, IPS systems can produce false positives and cause traffic to slow down for no reason. Plus, being an inline device requires that all traffic passes through it, and if the device is too aggressive, it can cause disruptions to legitimate users as well. This is why the best network security tools combine elements of both IDS and IPS to maximize their functionality.
Anomaly-Based IDS
In addition to identifying threats, IDSes also need to be able to distinguish between true and false positives. False negatives can be a bigger problem than positives because they allow attacks to pass undetected into the network and go unaddressed. Attackers constantly develop new methods and tactics to hide their activities and evade detection. As a result, IDS systems need a strong rule set and an increasing number of practices to detect emerging threats. Anomaly-based IDS solutions look for behaviors that don’t conform to network entities and resources’ known, expected behavior. This can include a user’s login location, encryption status, or file downloads. The key is identifying abnormal behaviors that don’t match the norm without generating too many false alarms. This can be done through statistical analysis and machine learning (ML) or deep neural networks. Anomaly-based IDSes can detect many attacks but are prone to false positives and require frequent updates. This type of IDS is most effective when paired with a signature-based IDS or an IPS.
Signature-Based IDS
Signature-based IDS systems use a pre-programmed list of known threats and their indicators of compromise (IOCs) to detect suspicious network activity. IOCs include file hashes, byte sequences commonly preceding a malware attack, malicious domains and more. IDSs are typically placed behind the firewall and monitor traffic between users and networks to detect anomalies. Signature-based systems compare network packets to a database of these attack patterns and flag those that match. However, new and existing attacks that need to be analyzed for signatures can evade this system. The primary benefit of an IDS is the ability to detect and log abnormal activities while providing security professionals with visibility into their network. This helps organizations identify bugs in their current security systems, report them and take action to fix them before they become a serious threat. It also allows enterprises to achieve compliance by logging events that meet certain regulatory requirements. However, IDSs can be prone to false positives where normal activity is misidentified as an attack. This can impact business functions and result in a security bottleneck.
HIDS vs. NIDS
Host-based intrusion detection systems [HIDS] monitor individual devices, analyzing system logs & activities to identify potential threats. They work alongside network-based intrusion detection systems [NIDS], which examine network traffic to determine possible attacks. HIDS sensors take snapshots of system files and then compare them to previous ones to look for anomalies. For example, if the system files suddenly begin to overwrite themselves or deploy backdoors, an alert will be issued to administrators. This technique is highly effective against insider threats, as it can detect changes to file permissions, client-server requests & other activity that may indicate an attack. However, HIDS can need help identifying some types of threats, especially zero-day attacks, which use unique patterns that no one has previously recorded. In these cases, the HIDS might not be able to recognize them until they’ve caused significant damage or the threat has already been eliminated. Therefore, it’s important to evaluate HIDS solutions carefully before purchasing. You’ll want to ensure your chosen solution can keep up with your organization’s growth without compromising performance.
IPS vs. IDS
Unlike an IDS, an IPS can stop threats as they are being launched and automatically take action to prevent them. This can help speed up incident remediation and improve website security. An IPS can also be more accurate at recognizing real threats. However, it can still produce false positives, which may lead to important, though benign, traffic being shut down. This can affect system availability and usability. Ideally, an IPS can be properly tuned to maximize its accuracy in detecting threats while minimizing the number of false positives. IPS systems can also increase the efficiency of other security controls and devices by filtering out malicious traffic before they reach them. This can reduce their workload and allow them to focus on other threats. IPS anomaly detection methods can also detect more advanced attacks that an IDS might miss. This means an IPS can provide superior application protection and help to ensure compliance with standards such as PCI DSS and HIPAA. This is why it is often used alongside other solutions.
