Security Fundamentals Professional Certification (SFPC) Practice Test

Which of the following is not a distinct phase of the Intrusion Detection System?

1. Detection

2. Control

3. Assessment

4. Response

The correct answer is: Control

An Intrusion Detection System (IDS) typically consists of several distinct phases to effectively monitor and respond to potential security threats. The main phases traditionally recognized include detection, assessment, and response. Detection refers to the identification of potential security incidents or anomalies in system behavior. This phase involves monitoring network traffic or system logs to recognize patterns that indicate unauthorized access or activity. Assessment is the phase where the detected potential threats are evaluated to determine their severity and impact. It focuses on analyzing the data collected during the detection phase to ascertain whether there is a genuine threat that needs attention. Response is the action taken after a threat has been detected and assessed. This phase may involve alerting administrators, blocking malicious traffic, or applying other mitigative measures to counter the detected intrusion. In contrast, "Control" is not recognized as a distinct phase within the context of an Intrusion Detection System. While control mechanisms are crucial for overall security management, they do not fit into the specific sequence of phases for intrusion detection and classification. Control aligns more closely with broader security practices and policies rather than the distinct operational stages of an IDS.