We live in a fast-paced technical world, where businesses and consumers want things now and where cyberattacks can happen in a matter of seconds. Additionally, corporations operate on multiple devices and platforms, giving cyber criminals plenty of options. To identify and protect a business form possible vulnerabilities, Intrusion Detection and Prevention (IDS/IPS) was created. It’s a managed security solution under Security as a Service (SECaaS) which is literally what it sounds like. IDS & IPS detect and prevent intrusions in company networks so businesses can function normally without compromise. Below, we take a closer look into Intrusion Detection and Prevention, how it works, and its benefits to ultimately help you determine if this solution should be your next cybersecurity investment.
How Intrusion Detection and Prevention Works:
We know the simple definition of Intrusion Detection and Prevention, but let’s dig a little deeper. Intrusion Detection and Prevention functions as a two-way system: an Intrusion Detection System (IDS) and an Intrusion Prevention System (IPS).
Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) are simpler, as they detect threats and send alerts, but they do not neutralize or prevent malicious activity from entering your network.
Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS) use multiple detection methods to analyze network traffic. These methods are as follows: signature detection, behavior-based detection, and rate-limiting features. IPS uses signature detection to analyze specific patterns and compare previous malicious activity to incoming signatures in the network. Patterns that appear to be similar to previous threats are then dropped and blocked from the network.
Behavior-based detection helps to monitor and analyze normal traffic patterns. If the system senses malicious activity, then behavior-based detection will issue alerts. Rate-limiting features are used to protect against Distributed Denial-of-Service attacks (DDoS), which are attacks intended to disrupt a network’s traffic flow. Rate-limiting features are like network capacities. They prevent the volume of traffic from exceeding the network threshold. Should a threat attempt to exceed this threshold, rate-limiting features will inhibit the network.
Benefits of Intrusion Detection and Prevention:
1. 24x7x365 Monitoring and Management
Did you know a new ransomware attack occurs every 14 seconds? With how quickly hackers can infect company networks, nonstop monitoring, and management is critical to security practices. Fortunately, more automation means less work and increased business efficiency. Intrusion Detection and Prevention detects threats in real-time, meaning as soon as it senses malicious activity in your network, it’s able to quickly mitigate those threats from compromising your business. Think of the monitoring aspect as the Intrusion Detection System (IDS). Your network is being monitored 24 hours, seven days a week for the entire year. The management aspect of this is the Intrusion Prevention System (IPS), which means that your network is being managed to mitigate threats and neutralize your system, 24 hours, seven days a week for the entire year. With Intrusion Detection and Prevention, your servers are protected across the cloud and your data centers. In short, organizations can be at ease knowing their data is constantly under a microscope, which means they can allocate their time to other areas of their businesses.
2. Versatile & Customizable Security Solution
Both businesses and cyberattacks are versatile. Companies operate on multiple devices and various platforms like social media and email, while hackers can infect these devices and platforms in multiple ways. Therefore, it’s expected that security solutions are versatile as well. Intrusion Detection and Prevention protects company networks against all types of cyberattacks like ransomware, phishing, man-in-the-middle attacks, and more. Like all Security as a Service (SECaaS) solutions, Intrusion Detection and Prevention is customizable and tailored to fit whatever types of cyberattacks your business is most susceptible to. Whether ransomware, phishing, or password theft among many others, Intrusion Detection and Prevention can focus its efforts on where your network needs the most attention, ensuring vulnerable gaps stay closed.
3. Protects Against Future Cyberattacks
With accurate detection from Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) comes successful prevention from Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS). Intrusion Detection and Prevention comes full circle to quickly remediate threats. Through strong analysis of behavioral patterns, signature comparisons, and ensuring your network traffic threshold isn’t overflowing, Intrusion Detection and Prevention can protect your corporation from any future cyberattacks, ultimately supporting your other cybersecurity practices and your security system as a whole.
What Businesses Benefit Most from Intrusion Detection and Prevention?
Although any business can benefit from Intrusion Detection and Prevention, remember that IDS/IPS digs deep into company networks to maintain high-security levels. In other words, organizations that handle highly sensitive and private information will benefit best from Intrusion Detection and Prevention. This includes financial institutions and organizations in the healthcare industry, especially since there are so many devices and platforms for hackers to enter and access sensitive data.
On the other hand, however, companies that are more prone to specific cyberattacks and need help combatting them should also invest in IDS/IPS, regardless of whether they handle highly confidential information. Intruders are after credit card information, social security cards, and other personal information. If your company handles that type of data on a daily basis, your best bet is to invest in Intrusion Detection and Prevention.
Bottom Line
Intrusion Detection and Prevention is like a giant magnifying glass on your company network. Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) and Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS) work simultaneously to safeguard your entire network. With the average data breach costing $3.92 million, corporations need as much preventative care as possible. After all, it’s not a matter of if you get attacked, but when. The more monitoring, management, and preventative precautions your organization takes, the more secure it is. Contact Cyber Sainik to discuss customizations and to learn how Intrusion Detection and Prevention will fit into your business model and security protocols.