Main solutions of intrusion detection systems

Faced with an increasing number and increasing complexity of alert escalations, security and network administrators need to receive structured and organized information.

Similarly, when they deploy a solution or hardware for detection (IDS) or intrusion prevention (IPS), a centralized administration console is essential for them, whether for one or more strategic servers - solutions called " Host IDS ”- or for the entire corporate network -“ Network IDS ”solutions.

Functioning as anti-virus or anti-spam solutions, IDS refer to a database of known attack signatures. But in order to give their solution more responsiveness when an attack arises, some publishers have decided to transform their offer into IPS (Intrusion Prevention System), focusing their technology on proactive prevention, capable of reacting in real time when a anomaly is detected or an intrusion is proven.

In this market, there are two key players, ISS and Cisco. Then follow in sequence Network Associates, Snort, Symantec, NetASQ, Top Layer Networks, Netscreen, Hogwash, TippingPoint, etc.

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IDS and IPS detection and prevention systems: What are they for?

IDS and IPS Detection and Prevention Systems

There are many criminals who, hard, strive to gain free access to our systems, to obtain some kind of benefit: be directly economical - demanding a rescue to recover our information, such as after a ransomware attack -, or with the purpose of spy on the company, to achieve some competitive advantage. To fight against these intrusions, we currently have various means. And, with the help of Punt Informàtic, we can do so both reactively and proactively.


Monitor incoming traffic

Both the Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) and the Intruder Prevention Systems (IPS) increase the security of our networks. Both systems are responsible for monitoring traffic, and for this they examine the network and ports, analyzing data packets, to detect suspicious patterns. The factor that ensures the success of an IDS or an IPS is its ability to identify already recognized firms. And the most prominent difference between the two systems is how they react when they have detected an attack.

The IDS contain an extensive updated database, with many known attack signatures. The IDS solution is responsible for monitoring incoming traffic - through an exhaustive network analysis and a port scan - and all this is compared with the information available on malicious elements. In the case of any suspicious activity, this detection system issues an early warning, which directs the system administrators. And it is these IT managers who must take appropriate action.

Decide on access control

On the other hand, the IPS emerged as extensions of the IDS solutions - with which they continue in relation -, and were developed to not only deal with the search for malicious activity, but also try to stop it. These proactive network security devices monitor traffic on a continuous basis, as well as all the activities of an IT environment. The IPS controls access in a computer network, protecting computer systems from abuse and attacks.

By locating traffic detection systems, IPSs resolve ambiguities in the tasks of passively monitoring computer networks. To combat potentially malicious activities, this software is capable of making decisions about access control, based on the contents of the traffic - instead of ports or IP addresses. Therefore, we must recognize that IPS represent a significant improvement over traditional firewall technologies.

Read More:   ids/ips tools

IDS and IPS: Similarities and differences between intrusion tools

The Intruder Detection System (IDS) and the Intruder Prevention System (IPS) prevent network intrusions in complementary ways.

Network data is usually protected by routers, firewalls or switches. Such technologies reduce the risks of those who work with the web, but in addition to having a configuration that requires advanced technical knowledge, in some cases, they also allow undue access that leads to cyber attacks. It is through this loophole that IDS - Intrusion detection system and IPS - Intrusion prevention system.

Both the Intrusion Detection System (IDS) and the Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) are security techniques capable of detecting and preventing unauthorized access to networks and hosts. A switch, a router or a desktop server is enough for this system to be deployed or installed with software through hardware that fulfills the functions on your network. Although both perform the same function - that of preventing such unauthorized access -, they have some points that make them different.

Without interfering with the course of network traffic, the Intrusion Detection System (IDS) monitors traffic, is capable of averting attacks and invasion attempts and is able to verify whether an action is threatening or not. IDS provides additional protection for a company's network assets.

How can I increase security and optimize my network?

SOFTWALL has a Network Analysis and Monitoring service, which consists of verifying the environment and making notes and improvements so that your network has greater reach, speed and also security, important in recent times due to attacks and data theft. Contact SOFTWALL, we can arrange a conversation without compromise to better understand your need.