What is the primary function of an Intrusion Detection System (IDS)?

The primary function of an Intrusion Detection System (IDS) is to monitor network traffic for suspicious activity. An IDS analyzes patterns of network traffic and can identify potential security incidents by comparing them against known signatures or behavior models. When suspicious activity is detected, the IDS generates alerts to inform administrators, enabling them to take action to investigate or respond to potential threats.

This role is essential in a cybersecurity framework as it provides visibility into network activities, allowing organizations to detect and respond to intrusions before they escalate into more significant security breaches. It’s important to differentiate this function from other security tools, as an IDS focuses on detection rather than prevention or data management functions.