What is an Example of NIDS?

When discussing intrusion detection systems (IDS), or more specifically network intrusion detection systems, there is no finer example than Suricata. This blog post will discuss the open-source IDS Suricata and how it presents itself as a great example of NIDS software.

What is NIDS?

NIDS stands for Network Intrusion Detection System. It's a security tool that monitors your network traffic for suspicious activity. It does this by performing the following tasks:

Traffic Monitoring: NIDS continuously monitors all the data packets flowing through your network.
Analysis: It analyzes each packet for patterns and behaviors that might indicate a security threat. This could include port scans, malware signatures, attempts to gain unauthorized access, and more.
Alerts: If NIDS detects something suspicious, it will alert the network administrator so they can investigate further.

NIDS is a passive system, meaning it just monitors and detects threats, it doesn't take any action to stop them. That's the job of a Network Intrusion Prevention System (IPS), which works alongside NIDS to actively block malicious traffic.

What are the types of NIDS?

There are three primary types of NIDS software based on the method of detection: anomaly-based, signature-based, and hybrid. These methods define how the NIDS analyzes data to identify potential intrusions.

Anomaly-Based IDS: Anomaly-based NIDS focuses on identifying deviations from normal behavior within a network or system. It works by establishing a baseline for normal activity by statistically analyzing network traffic or system activity over time. This baseline becomes a reference for identifying anomalies. The IDS then continuously monitors network traffic or system activity and compares the real-time data to the established baselines. Significant deviations from these baselines are flagged as potential intrusions.
Signature-Based IDS: A signature-based network intrusion detection system relies on a predefined database of attack signatures to identify malicious activity. These signatures represent known patterns or fingerprints of network attacks or suspicious system behavior. The IDS continuously monitors network traffic or system activity and compares this data against the database of attack signatures. Any matches trigger an alert, indicating a potential intrusion attempt.
Hybrid IDS: A hybrid network intrusion detection system combines both anomaly-based and signature-based detection methods to address the limitations of each approach. A hybrid system leverages signature-based detection for known threats and anomaly-based detection for novel attacks. This enhances the overall effectiveness of intrusion detection.

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 NIDS, and the acceptable level of false positives.

Why do we need NIDS?

There are several compelling reasons why network intrusion detection system software is essential for robust network security. Here are some of the key benefits:

Early Warning System: NIDS constantly monitors your network traffic for suspicious activity. This allows you to detect potential attacks before they can infiltrate your systems and cause damage. Early detection is crucial for mitigating the impact of cyberattacks.
Improved Visibility: NIDS offers a comprehensive view of your network activity. Think of it like having a detailed map that shows everything flowing through your network. This enhanced visibility helps you identify weaknesses in your security posture and potential vulnerabilities that attackers might exploit.
Internal Threat Detection: NIDS isn't just about external threats. It can also detect suspicious activity originating from within your network. This can help uncover insider threats or compromised devices that might be masquerading as legitimate users.
Faster Response Times: When NIDS detects something suspicious, it triggers immediate alerts. This allows your security team to react quickly and take steps to contain the threat before it can escalate. Faster response times are essential for minimizing damage and preventing a security incident from snowballing.
Compliance Advantages: Many industries have regulations that mandate organizations to monitor their network traffic for security risks. NIDS can help you comply with these regulations and demonstrate your commitment to data security.
Cost-Effectiveness: By proactively identifying and addressing threats, NIDS can help you avoid the significant costs associated with security breaches, such as data loss, downtime, and reputational damage.

What is an example of a NIDS?

The best network intrusion detection system is Suricata.

Suricata is a popular open-source Network-based IDS (depending on configuration) that offers a powerful and flexible solution for network security monitoring. Here's how Suricata functions as a NIDS:

Traffic Monitoring: Suricata is deployed on a network and continuously monitors all incoming and outgoing traffic passing through that specific point.
Deep Packet Inspection: It goes beyond just looking at header information in data packets. Suricata performs deep packet inspection, analyzing the actual content of the packets to identify suspicious patterns or malicious payloads.
Rule-Based Detection: Suricata relies on a rule set to detect threats. These rules are essentially instructions that define what kind of network activity is considered suspicious. Suricata matches the captured network traffic against these rules and flags any traffic that meets the criteria for further investigation.
Customizable Rules: A significant advantage of Suricata is the ability to customize its rule set. There are pre-configured rules available for known threats, but you can also create custom rules to address specific security concerns within your network environment.
Threat Detection Capabilities: Suricata can detect a wide range of threats, including port scans, unauthorized access attempts, malware signatures, denial-of-service attacks (DoS), and many more.
Alert Generation: When Suricata detects something suspicious, it generates alerts that notify security personnel about the potential threat. These alerts typically include details about the nature of the suspicious activity, the source and destination IP addresses, and the time of detection.

Suricata's versatility extends beyond basic NIDS functionalities. It can also be configured to function as:

Network Intrusion Prevention (NIPS): With additional configurations, Suricata can take action beyond just raising alerts. It can actively block malicious traffic, preventing attacks from reaching your network.
Network Security Monitoring (NSM): Suricata can be used for broader network security monitoring purposes. It can provide valuable insights into network traffic patterns and overall network health.

Explore a modern alternative

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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