In today’s volatile cybersecurity environment, one critical component of a security strategy is an Intrusion Detection and Prevention System (IDPS). Cyberattacks are increasingly sophisticated, requiring organizations to implement equally sophisticated security measures to protect their networks and devices.
An IDPS acts as a vigilant sentinel, monitoring network and host activity for signs of malicious behavior. It can log suspicious security events, take immediate action to thwart attacks, and generate reports, helping network administrators meet today’s security challenges and compliance requirements.
Different types of IDPS software are available, each with its unique techniques and benefits. Understanding the difference between each form of IDPS can help cybersecurity professionals identify the best application to deploy, effectively protecting organization’s network and device infrastructure.
What is an IDPS?
An IDPS is a security solution that monitors and analyzes network traffic and system logs to detect and prevent cyberattacks. It can be deployed in networks, hosts, or variations; its main purpose is to identify and block malicious activity.
An IDPS can detect a range of attacks, from simple reconnaissance to advanced targeted intrusions.
HIDS and NIDS: A Comparative Analysis
Two primary types of IDPS exist: Host-based intrusion detection systems (HIDS) and network-based intrusion detection systems (NIDS).
They are important tools in the cybersecurity arsenal, offering comprehensive security strategies to protect networks and hosts and strengthen an organization’s overall security posture.
HIDS
According to the NIST Glossary (2023), “A host is any hardware device that has the capability of permitting access to a network via a user interface, specialized software, network address, protocol stack, or any other means.” Basic examples of host devices include desktop computers and mobile phones.
Host-based intrusion detection systems monitor and analyze electronic device activity, such as traffic and logs, to detect patterns indicative of a cyberattack. A HIDS uses less network resources but requires increased effort to install it on many devices. However, if there is high-value data on the device, the effort is likely warranted.
NIDS
A NIDS has a much broader application than HIDS because it monitors and analyzes device activity across the entire network. However, it has the same goal — detecting unusual activity, such as abnormal traffic patterns, to halt cyberattacks.
The perimeter defense capabilities of a NIDS are simpler to deploy than a HIDS; creating a NIDS may be as simple as installing a central sensor to monitor an entire network. However, a NIDS can’t determine what’s happening on individual devices. As a result, false positives can be created, making it difficult to know if the network was successfully infiltrated.
Exploring HIDS/NIDS Variations
While HIDS and NIDS are foundational, many variations offer specialized protection, each with its characteristic advantages.
The following list is not mutually exclusive, and many modern intrusion detection and prevention systems combine elements from multiple categories to provide comprehensive security monitoring and threat detection.
Some variations of a NIDS/HIDS are:
- Network Node Intrusion Detection Systems (NNIDS): Installed on individual network nodes, such as printers and routers, monitoring configurations, logs, and traffic for signs of compromise. It provides a deeper layer of security to the network, detecting and preventing intrusions at the node level.
- Signature-based Intrusion Detection Systems (SIDS): References a database of known attack signatures to identify potential security threats. It’s effective against known attacks but may not detect new or unknown attacks.
- Protocol-based Intrusion Detection Systems (PIDS): Monitors network traffic to analyze it based on specific protocols (e.g., TCP/IP, HTTP, or FTP), detecting anomalies in behavior indicative of a security threat.
- Anomaly-based Intrusion Detection Systems (APIDS): Uses machine learning and statistical analysis to identify unusual patterns of network traffic that may indicate a security threat. It creates a baseline of normal network behavior to provide alerts based on deviations from that baseline.
- Application-based Intrusion Detection Systems (AIDS): Screens application-specific types of traffic to detect security threats and prevents the infiltration of targeted applications, such as web applications or databases, by hackers.
- Wireless Intrusion Prevention Systems (WIPS): Developed for wireless networks, it monitors WI-FI traffic and detects potential security threats, such as rogue access points or unauthorized devices.
IDPS Techniques
An IDPS uses various techniques to detect and prevent security threats. Some of the most common techniques include:
- Signature-based detection: Compares network traffic to a database of known attack signatures.
- Anomaly-based detection: Uses machine learning and statistical data analysis to identify unusual patterns of network traffic that indicate a security threat.
- Protocol-based detection: Examines network traffic to identify protocol violations or anomalies.
Threat Detection
IDPS can be used to detect, prevent, and quarantine a wide range of security threats, such as:
- Malware and viruses
- Unauthorized access and privilege escalation
- Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks
- Network scanning and reconnaissance
- Data exfiltration and theft
Benefits of IDPS
Implementing an IDPS can provide numerous benefits to an organization, including:
- Layered security: Provides an additional layer of security to the network, detecting and preventing intrusions at each level of the network.
- Real-time analysis: Analyzes network traffic and system activity in real-time, enabling quick detection and response to security threats.
- Enhanced visibility: Offers granular visibility into network traffic and system activity, enabling security teams to detect hidden cybersecurity threats.
- Reduced false positives: Uses machine learning and behavioral analysis to reduce false positives and improve the accuracy of system alerts.
- Regulatory compliance: Generates security event reports, helping organizations comply with local laws and standards.
IDPS Limitations
While an IDPS offers significant benefits, it’s important to consider possible drawbacks:
- Resource intensity: Deploying IDPS can be resource-intensive, requiring significant processing power and memory to analyze network traffic and system activity.
- Complexity: Configuring an IDPS can be complex, requiring specialized skills and expertise.
- Cost: Maintaining an IDPS can be expensive, especially in large-scale networks.
Improved Security Outcomes
An IDPS is a critical component of a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy. By understanding the different types of IDPS solutions, security teams can make informed decisions to safeguard their networks and devices.
Whether it’s a HIDS, NIDS, or variation of the two, a well-implemented IDPS can shield an organization against the ever-evolving cyber threat.
Need the basics? Consider our cybersecurity guide for small businesses!
Reference
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). (2023, December 18). Glossary. https://csrc.nist.gov/glossary/term/host
