Which of the following terms refers to a case in which an IDS fails to identify an actual attack?

A false negative occurs when an Intrusion Detection System (IDS) fails to detect an attack that is actually taking place. This situation can be particularly dangerous because it gives the impression that the network is secure while an attacker is successfully exploiting vulnerabilities.

Understanding the implications of false negatives is crucial for maintaining robust cybersecurity defenses. Organizations rely on IDS technologies to identify potential threats; thus, when these systems fail to alert on genuine attacks, they could lead to undetected breaches, resulting in data loss or damage to an organization’s infrastructure.

In this context, other terms have specific meanings that help differentiate between various outcomes of intruder detection:

• A true positive occurs when an IDS correctly identifies an attack that is happening.

• A true negative refers to the correct identification of a benign condition where there is no attack.

• A false positive is when the IDS incorrectly flags benign activity as an attack, which can lead to unnecessary alarm and resource allocation.

Recognizing these distinctions enhances understanding of IDS performance and the importance of fine-tuning detection systems to minimize false negatives, thus improving overall security posture.