What is an Intrusion Prevention System (IPS)?
An Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) is a security network device designed to continuously monitor traffic, detect potential security threats, and take immediate action to block them. It builds upon the functionality of an Intrusion Detection System (IDS), which only detects threats without taking preventive action.
How Does an IPS Work?
- Monitoring: The IPS monitors all incoming and outgoing traffic for suspicious activities or unusual patterns.
- Detection: It identifies threats using attack signatures, behavior anomalies, or predefined security rules.
- Blocking: Once a threat is detected, the IPS automatically blocks the attack, shuts down affected connections, or alerts the network administrator.
Benefits of an IPS
- Security: Provides protection by detecting and preventing unauthorized access or malicious activities.
- Real-Time Protection: Ensures instant response to block attacks before they can cause damage.
- Compliance: Helps companies maintain compliance with security regulations, such as GDPR, by safeguarding sensitive data.
