Open Source Intrusion Detection Tools

What is open-source intrusion detection?

Open-source intrusion detection tools (abbreviated as IDS) are security software systems that monitor an organization’s network for malicious activity and that are freely available for anyone to use, modify, and distribute. Instead of relying on pre-built commercial security software, open-source intrusion detection tools offer a different approach based on transparency, flexibility, customizability, and community collaboration.

The core idea is that the IDS’s code is open for anyone to download, use, alter, and improve. This openness allows for a wide range of individuals to contribute to its development while also tailoring the system for their own unique needs. The rules used by the IDS are also commonly shared in various threat intelligence sharing platforms, enabling users to support each other and stay up to date with new and emerging threats.

Open-source intrusion detection tools are an incredibly cost-effective option for many organizations because they eliminate the licensing costs associated with commercial security software, making it an attractive option for personal use or budget-conscious organizations.

What is an example of a free open-source IDS?

The best free open-source IDS is Suricata.

Suricata is a powerful network security tool that monitors your network for malicious activity and is freely available under the GNU General Public License (GPLv2). This means anyone can use, modify, and distribute Suricata without any licensing fees.

Suricata is by far the best open-source IDS, known for its efficiency and ability to handle large volumes of network traffic without compromising performance. It uses deep packet inspection to detect more sophisticated threats that might try to hide malicious payloads within seemingly normal data packets. Suricata can be configured as an IDS for passive monitoring or as an IPS for active blocking of unwanted traffic.

Suricata benefits from a large and active community that develops and maintains a vast library of rules to identify various threats. These rules are regularly updated and commonly shared on platforms like the Malware Information Sharing Project (MISP). There is even a annual conference for Suricata users called Suricon, which historically provides workshops and lectures on Suricata topics, development, and best practices.

Is Suricata open-source?

Suricata is, and has always been, one of the best open-source IDS/IPS options available. The first version of Suricata was released in 2010, but it has since evolved beyond basic IDS functionality into a highly capable IDS, IPS, and NSM solution. Version 7.0.4 is now available for Linux, Mac, FreeBSD, UNIX, and Windows operating systems.

To download Suricata, visit https://suricata.io/download/.

To view past releases, development history, or to contribute, please visit https://github.com/OISF/suricata.

What is the best IDS tool?

Suricata is a top contender for the title of best network intrusion detection system.

Suricata excels in handling large amounts of network traffic without compromising performance, making it a great choice for networks with high traffic volume. It also includes deep packet inspection capabilities, allowing it to uncover threats that might be hiding within seemingly normal data packets. Suricata has a wide range of threat detection capabilities, making it a versatile tool against various security risks like malware, intrusions, and data breaches. As an open-source IDS, Suricata offers the benefits of being freely available and customizable, with a large and active community to provide support and keep the threat detection rules up-to-date. Finally, Suricata offers greater flexibility than other network intrusion detection systems because it can be configured to function passively as an IDS or actively as an IPS, not to mention the ability to gather network security monitoring (NSM) data as effectively as any leading tool dedicated to that function.

How much does IDS software cost?

While there are some paid IDS options, generally the best intrusion detection systems are free due to their open-source nature. It is important to note that free IDS software, such as Suricata, could result in some additional costs:

• Hardware: IDS tools can be resource-intensive, especially when dealing with high volumes of network traffic. You might need to invest in additional hardware with sufficient processing power and memory to run them effectively. This could involve upgrading existing servers or purchasing new ones entirely.
• Maintenance and Updates: Open-source thrives on community contributions, but keeping an IDS up-to-date with the latest rule sets and bug fixes might require some effort from your security team. If you don't have the internal resources, you might consider paid subscription services that offer automated updates and rule management.
• Training: Using free IDS software effectively often requires training for your IT security personnel. They'll need to understand how to interpret alerts, investigate potential threats, and fine-tune the rule sets for optimal performance. Training can be done internally or through external providers.
• Integration with other security tools: IDS can be a powerful tool, but it might not be the only one in your security arsenal. Integrating free IDS software with other security tools like firewalls, SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) systems, and threat intelligence feeds can enhance its effectiveness. Depending on the chosen tools, there might be additional licensing or integration costs involved.

Is Suricata a good IDS?

Suricata is one of the best open-source intrusion detection systems available. Some of its key benefits include:

• Speed: Suricata can handle a lot of traffic at once without slowing down your network. It uses multiple cores in your computer to work faster.
• Scalability: Suricata can be used on a small network or a big one. You can spread it out across multiple machines as your network grows.
• Flexibility: Suricata can be set up to look for specific threats that are important to you. You can also use rules from other security tools.
• NSM Functionality: Suricata does more than a basic IDS/IPS, tracking network flows and collecting various network telemetry data, including packet size, source and destination information, protocol details, and more.
• Depth of Data: Suricata collects a lot of information about your network traffic. This data can be used to investigate security incidents, improve security overall, and even help other security tools work better.

Who owns Suricata?

Suricata is not owned by a single entity in the traditional sense. It is developed and supported by the Open Information Security Foundation (OISF), a non-profit organization dedicated to building and maintaining Suricata as a next-generation open-source IDS tool.

The OISF fosters a collaborative environment where Suricata's development isn't solely driven by the foundation itself. Contributions come from various sources:

• OISF Team: The foundation has its own employees and contractors who contribute to Suricata's development.
• External Developers: Developers working for various security companies, such as Stamus Networks, can also contribute code and features to Suricata, enriching its functionality.
• Individual Contributors: Anyone with the technical expertise can contribute to Suricata's evolution. This allows independent security researchers or enthusiasts to add their knowledge to the project.

This collaborative approach leverages the expertise of a wider security community to keep Suricata evolving and effective.

Is IPS still relevant?

Yes, both intrusion detection and prevention systems are still relevant to a modern cybersecurity approach. Open source IDS/IPS provides a strong first line of defense, and the accuracy of IDS/IPS detection and the data generation of IDS/IPS tools create a solid foundation for other security systems to build upon. For example, many advanced network detection and response (NDR) systems are built on top of an existing open-source IDS/IPS tool. This is the case for NDR systems like the Stamus Security Platform.

Outside of this, open-source IDS/IPS helps organizations have a layered approach to their security, complementing other security tools like firewalls, antivirus, or SIEM systems. This layered approach enables organizations to mitigate a wide variety of threats. Some might argue that IDS/IPS detection is outdated or otherwise ineffective, but the reality is that a properly configured IDS or IPS system is an excellent first line of defense that can detect the majority of known threats.

Learn More About Suricata

Suricata stands out as a powerful and cost-effective foundation for any organization's network security strategy. While some technical expertise is required for setup and maintenance, Suricata's potential return on investment makes it a serious contender for organizations seeking to actively monitor and protect their networks.

For those interested in learning more about Suricata, there are various resources available. One free option is "The Security Analyst’s Guide to Suricata" published by Stamus Networks. This book offers a practical approach to threat detection and hunting using Suricata, focusing on key Suricata features and providing valuable network security insights for security operations center (SOC) analysts and threat hunters.