The primary distinction between an Intrusion Detection System (IDS) and an Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) lies in their response to detected threats:
* Intrusion Detection System (IDS):
* Function: Monitors network traffic and system activities for suspicious behavior.
* Response: Generates alerts and logs events for analysis.
* Role: Passive; does not take action to block or prevent threats. Requires manual intervention to respond to alerts.
* Intrusion Prevention System (IPS):
* Function: Monitors network traffic and system activities similarly to an IDS but with additional capabilities.
* Response: Actively blocks and mitigates threats in real-time.
* Role: Proactive; takes automatic actions to prevent or mitigate threats without the need for human intervention.
Scenario Explanation:
* In the given scenario, the IDS detected suspicious activity and alerted the security team, allowing them to investigate further.
* The IPS, on the other hand, immediately blocked the malicious traffic, preventing the intrusion from succeeding.
References:
* EC-Council Certified Network Defender (CND) and Certified Security Analyst (ECSA) materials.
* Industry standards on network security and intrusion detection/prevention systems.