It is easy to confuse intrusion detection systems (IDS) with intrusion prevention systems (IPS), especially when so many intrusion detection system examples appear to have the ability to operate as an IPS. With this in mind, what is the best example of an IPS? Is it better to have an independent IPS system, or use an IDS in IPS mode? And is that really the best solution to block potentially malicious network traffic? Let’s take a look.
One of the very best intrusion prevention system examples is Suricata, because it is a fully functioning IPS and IDS solution. Of all the IDS/IPS options, Suricata is by far the most flexible.
Suricata is a free, open-source IDS/IPS cybersecurity tool that acts as both an Intrusion Detection System (IDS) and an Intrusion Prevention System (IPS). It is used by organizations all around the world to detect cyber threats and monitor networks for suspicious activity.
Suricata’s strength lies in its versatility. When tuned correctly, it is a high-performance tool that can handle large volumes of network traffic and generate vast amounts of network traffic data. It is also extremely flexible, offering deep analysis of various protocols and the ability to customize rule sets to fit your organization’s specific needs. Because it’s an open-source IDS/IPS, Suricata benefits from a large, active community that constantly develops and refines its capabilities.
Put simply, Suricata is a powerful and adaptable tool that provides a robust layer of defense for any organization’s network security strategy.
There are two main types of intrusion prevention systems (IPS) categorized by their deployment location:
For both intrusion detection and prevention systems, there are three primary types of detection methods: anomaly-based, signature-based, and hybrid. These methods define how the IDS analyzes data to identify potential intrusions.
Each of these three detection methods (Anomaly-based, Signature-based, Hybrid) offers different strengths and weaknesses. Choosing the most suitable approach depends on factors like the specific security requirements of the network, the resource availability for managing the IDS, and the acceptable level of false positives.
While Suricata is certainly the definitive example of a top intrusion prevention system software, it is important to mention that other more modern approaches to network security exist. Let’s take network detection and response (NDR) as an example.
NDR is a solution that monitors and analyzes network traffic to identify potential security threats or other malicious activities. By employing advanced detection methods, automated incident response, and active threat hunting, NDR empowers organizations to detect and respond to potential threats swiftly, thereby minimizing the risk of data breaches and unauthorized access.
NDR represents a logical progression from conventional network security tools such as intrusion detection systems (IDS). In contrast to IDS, NDR offers advanced detection methods, anomaly detection, threat hunting, high-fidelity alerts, and automated response capabilities essential for addressing emerging threats. While some NDR systems may incorporate IDS signature-based threat detection methods, it's important to note that no IDS is capable of delivering the comprehensive functionality provided by NDR.
You need a network security platform that doesn’t generate an endless stream of useless alerts across part of your network, and instead automatically identifies alerts of interest and notifies you of only serious and imminent threats. Your organization deserves response-ready detection with visibility into your entire network regardless of the environment with easy access to all the contextual evidence you need to stop an attack before it can cause damage. Replace your legacy IDS with a modern network detection and response platform that gives you these features and more.
The Stamus Security Platform™ is a network-based threat detection and response solution that eliminates the challenges of legacy IDS while lowering your response time. Stamus Security Platform harnesses the full potential of your network, bringing state-of-the-art threat detection, automated event triage, and unparalleled visibility to the security team.
Book a demo to see if the Stamus Security Platform is right for your organization.
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