What is IPS/IDS and where it is used

IDS and IPS are both systems for the proper monitoring of possible threats. These intrusion systems are totally different and we will go deeper in the discussion about the control and monitoring approaches. If that topic sounds interesting just go on reading and you will get all the needed information.

What is an Intrusion Detection System (IDS)

IDS or intrusion detection system is usually related to the software app or a device that is responsible for the monitoring of online threats whether it is in the system or network. The information about the strange activity is usually reported to the admin or collected via the SIEM system.

As for the methods of IDS functioning, there are 3 possible options such as:

• Detection of anomalies. IDS can function for the monitoring of the computer as well as network activity and after that dividing the activity into the normal or abnormal. This kind of system was initially designed to detect strange activity. The approach is mainly founded on the utilization of machine learning with the help of which correct models of activity are memorized and compared with the new/strange ones. This approach is much better because of its generalized properties, but you can have some issues with false positives.
• IDS detection that is based on the signature. This approach is considered to be a more traditional one and it is based on the search for certain patterns. In this method, patterns mean the same as signatures. This IDS detection will help with known cyberattacks but will have some issues with new patterns.
• Detection based on the reputation. Here the reputation score influences the entire process.

Now that you have an understanding of how IDS functions let’s discuss the main type of this system. The main classification includes 2 types:

• NIDS. This type of IDS monitors the incoming traffic. This system analyzes the traffic activity that is coming to/from the device. All the activity is compared with the existing library of possible attacks and once something strange is identified the admin gets an alert about this.
• HIDS. Such a system is needed for the proper monitoring of the OS in the devices or individual hosts. All the packages are monitored in order to detect the unusual activity. The alert occurs when the critical files are changed in the system.      

What is an Intrusion Prevention System (IPS)

IPS or intrusion prevention system which functions by detecting threatening activity, reporting such activity, and trying to prevent such threats. As a rule, IPS is right behind the firewall. This type of system is extremely helpful for the identification of the issues connected with security strategies, detecting cybercriminals, and identifying document threats.

The prevention of threatening activity occurs in IPS by modification of the attack’s content, reconfiguration of the firewalls, or other methods. Some users accept IPS as an extension of IDS mainly because they are responsible for network monitoring.

Here are a couple of methods that explain how IPS functions:

• Monitoring of the stateful protocol analysis. This IPS method functions by comparing all the activity with the generalized rules and in such a way deviation is detected.
• Monitoring based on signature. The process in the IPS method detects packets in the network and after that, the standard patterns (signatures) are compared with the packets.
• Monitoring based on the statistic animalities. The approach functions by checking the network activity and the comparison is done based on the pre-determined baseline. This line determines the basic characteristics that are considered to be normal such as the usage of certain protocols or the used bandwidth. When there are some issues with the baseline configuration, the result might be false positive.   

Once the suspicious activity is detected, IPS can react according to the following scenarios:

• IPS can block a user that is violating some patterns by accessing the network, host, or app
• One more scenario may be connected with the termination of the TCP session
• The deletion of the threatening content, or removal of the infected data after the cyberattack
• Reconfiguration of the firewall to exclude the possibility of similar attacks in the nearest future

The classification of the IPS types:

• WIPS. This type of IPS detects unauthorized access and removes it once noticed. Such a system usually functions as an overlay on the Wireless LAN infrastructure, but it may also be used independently. With the utilization of WIPS, such risks can be prevented: honeypot, rogue access points, denial of service attacks, MAC spoofing, and lots of others.
• HIPS. This system usually works by analyzing code behavior on the host and in such a way a strange activity is detected. HIPS is extremely helpful for the protection of sensitive information from extraction.
• NIPS. The detection is made by the analysis of the packets via the network. Immediately after the installation, the data is collected about the host and network. The prevention of attacks is made by packets’ rejection, limitation of bandwidth, and TCP connections.
• NBA. This analysis is done based on the normal/strange behavior in the network. In order to consider what is the norm and what isn’t, the system requires some time.
  



Integration: Can IDS and IPS Collaborate?

IDS and IPS are both functioning to achieve a common goal – safeguarding the infrastructure of the network. In most of case scenarios, these systems detect strange activity by comparing it with the standard (normal) behavior characteristics.  

As well as working independently, IPS and IDS can be integrated together. Moreover, firewalls can also collaborate with IPS/IDS for better protection of the system. Such collaboration is called UTM or NGFW.

IDS and IPS with Firewalls​

In the traditional firewall approach, the system works in such a way that it denies/allows some of the connections in the network based on the specified rules. In case the needed rules are used, then the instructions will be prevented. Generally speaking, standard firewalls limit access, but could not totally stop the attacker from the network.

IPS and IDS function by detecting threats within the network and notifying about such an activity. In order to get maximum results from all of these technologies, they are combined and create new firewalls. The next-generation technology united the firewall with IPS/IDS.  

Key Overlaps Between IDS and IPS​

Both systems are good options for dealing with threats related to the network infrastructure. The process works mainly by analyzing the traffic activity and comparing it with the database of the usual activity and abnormal ones. IDS functions by analyzing the traffic activity, while IPS can even influence the process and control it in some way.

There are several overlaps between both systems and we will discuss them here.  

1. Tailored for Contemporary Enterprises

Contemporary enterprises are more oriented toward remote work than ever before. There are so many companies that switched to this mode during a pandemic and continue to follow this pass that requires higher volumes of traffic and more access points in general. The manual analysis and monitoring of threats have become almost useless due to the cloud environments. Moreover, cybersecurity is also improving the mechanism of dealing with a variety of risks, and those approaches should be also implemented.

That’s why, both IPS and IDS are inseparable from the changing world of cybersecurity and are perfectly tailored for enterprises. The automatization of most processes makes threat detection so much easier and way more effective than in the past. Just don’t forget to update the system whenever it is required and you will be even more protected against the most recent security risks.   

2. Functionality Based on Signature Databases or Behavioral Models

The most standard approaches that are used in IDS and IPS are connected with the behavioral models and those that are mainly oriented on the signature databases. There is a percentage of users who even prefer to combine those cybersecurity approaches to reach their goals. The functioning of the solution is quite straightforward, once the danger is detected, there is an immediate alert about the possible threat and there is even automated activity initiation.

Intrusion detection/prevention systems that rely on the signature database are ideal for the identification of standard cyber-attacks. Here the network information is compared with the list of possible indicators and in such a way an unusual activity is determined.

If the signature match is detected, the chosen system for dealing with intrusions reacts and deals with existing issues. The speed of detection is extremely high and that is a huge advantage that every user can notice. The minor issue here can lay in the databases, in case a threat isn’t listed there, it won’t be detected.  

On the other hand, the model-based approach to intrusions uses machine learning for the detection of possible threats. The traffic activity is always compared with the baseline and in such a way a strange activity can be noticed. It does not work with specific clues but orients more on the unusual behavior.

3. Harnessing Automation Capabilities

IPS and IDS are great solutions for a variety of reasons, but the main one is considered to be the automation of the processes. With automatization, you can get higher results in detecting the risks and at the same time use fewer resources.

Systems for dealing with intrusions can use software or hardware approaches. Initially, the majority of companies used sensors on the crucial points of the network for the analysis of the current situation. Later on, instead of the hardware approach came software where with the help of specific tools monitoring of the data can be done. After the detection of any possible risks, the notification will be immediately done. IPS can even go further than alarm, there can be done certain automatic actions.  

4. Simplifying Compliance Processes​

There are lots of industries where compliance processes are crucial and specifically, we are talking about the financial sector and healthcare. IPS and IDS can be a great solution for corporations that are searching for simplified compliance processes.

With the increase of the available digital data, the analysis and constant monitoring of the system need more resources and that is obvious. In such a case, IPS/IDS can be extremely helpful for preventing unauthorized activity with the usage of mostly automated processes.

Deeper monitoring and analysis of the infrastructure is crucial when it comes to compliance with strict regulations. With these detection systems, it is way easier to control all the traffic even those that are invisible to the majority of other intrusion detection solutions. For example, these systems can quickly notice unusual activity in LAN connection and that is crucial for cybersecurity.    

5. Efficient Enforcement of Business Policies

Enforcement of business policies is not the easiest thing for lots of corporations. However, IPS and IDS can greatly influence the process and help with the effective enforcement of high-security standards as well as influencing business ethics.To understand how all these processes function, let’s take for instance VPN. In case an organization’s policy orients on a certain VPN, then the traffic activity from other services can be easily blocked with this intrusion detection system.