What is the role of an intrusion detection system (IDS)?

An intrusion detection system (IDS) primarily functions to monitor network traffic and analyze it for signs of unauthorized access or malicious activities. Unlike a firewall or an intrusion prevention system (IPS) that may take action to block threats, an IDS focuses on detecting and alerting on potential intrusions as they occur.

The role of analyzing network traffic involves inspecting data packets for patterns that match known threats or behaviors that diverge from the norm. An IDS can employ various methodologies, such as signature-based detection, which looks for known attack patterns, or anomaly-based detection, which identifies deviations from established baselines of normal network behavior.

By identifying and alerting on suspicious activity, an IDS helps security teams respond to potential threats, understand attack vectors, and improve overall network security posture. While other systems might focus on preventive measures or user authentication, the core purpose of an IDS is centered around detection and analysis of threats within the network traffic.