Ultimate Guide To Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) & Intrusion Detection System (IDS) Firewall - SecurityGen/secgen GitHub Wiki

IDS and IPS, along with firewalls, are the frontline defense for organizations to prevent cyber attacks. The primary function of a firewall is to act as a gatekeeper for network traffic by controlling access to the network based on IP addresses. While firewalls are essential to network security, they have limitations. Firewalls can only regulate network access based on predetermined rules, whereas IDS and IPS are more sophisticated and use intelligent algorithms to identify and prevent potential security breaches.

IDS is a tracking system that monitors network traffic and identifies suspicious activity. It compares network packets to a database of known cyber attack signatures. When IDS detects a match, it raises an alert or flag. On the other hand, IPS is a regulatory system that not only identifies but also prevents network intrusion attempts by prohibiting packets from being forwarded based on their content.

With the ever-increasing number of cyber attacks, it is crucial to incorporate robust IDS, IPS, and firewall technologies into network security infrastructures. Combining these technologies ensures that sensitive data is protected from potential threats. IDS, IPS, and firewall technologies are essential for businesses to maintain a secure network environment. It is imperative to have the right balance between these technologies to prevent cyber attacks from exploiting vulnerabilities in the network.

Table of Contents

An Introduction

What exactly are IPS and IDS?

Intrusion Prevention System (IPS)

Intrusion Detection System (IDS)

Major differences between IPS and IDS

How Does IDS/IPS Detect Threats?

SecGen’s IDS & IPS

What exactly is the IDS IPS Firewall ?

Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) is a tool that takes action without an administrator's intervention to prevent any data packet from being detected as a danger by the IPS utility. Furthermore, IPS assessed and applied all packets that entered the network automatically. Moreover, IPS has two forms: statistical anomaly detection and signature-based detection.

Statistical Anomaly Detection: They compare samples of network data at random. Ports, bandwidth, protocols, and tools connect them.

Signature-Based Detection: Every sort of assault employs distinct patterns. The signature can be an attacker-facing signature, with packets traced by looking for a match in your saved exploit attack file.

Intrusion Detection System (IDS) is a tool that detects packet incursion and classifies which packets are potentially dangerous. It should be noted that it should not be obstructed. It is a hybrid hardware/software security platform that combats external and internal threats and monitors network activities in real-time. IDS are also classified into two categories, which are as follows.

Host-Based Intrusion Detection System: A host-based sensor that employs software as agents on workstations. HIDS has identified such agents. When the agents are installed, they track and log files from a certain operating system.

If the activity has been adjusted unexpectedly, the task begins immediately after the activity monitoring is deployed. They can keep an eye out for assaults based on changes in internal system activity.

Network-Based Intrusion Detection System: A network-based sensor (Ethernet or WIFI) positioned in segment points or borders and tracks monitored device and system data packets.

They employ real-time monitoring, making it impossible for attackers to conceal, change, or destroy evidence of an assault. They are particularly valuable for forensic investigation.

Major differences between IPS and IDS

Let us look at some of the significant distinctions between IPS and IDS in the following sections:

IDS and IPS both examine and compare network packets to known threat content. IDS are detection and surveillance technologies that do not take action on their own. An intrusion prevention system (IPS) is a control system that accepts or rejects a registered packet. IDS necessitates the evaluation and decision of a human or other equipment, which might vary depending on the daily network traffic generated. On the other hand, the IPS seeks to gather and drop harmful packets before they reach their destination. It is more proactive than IDS, which only requires a periodic database update with new threat data. An IPS system failure results in unexpected assaults. Remember to utilize a firewall to filter, block, and allow ports, addresses, and actions, as some may also be accessible over the network. Until technology is incorporated into a single device, the manager has the option of using it as an inline IPS or merely identify strategically positioned sensors to track network traffic passively. On a network, IDS should be put after the firewall, whereas IPS should be placed before the firewall. With IDS, configuration mode is inline, usually on layer 2. In contrast, the configuration mode in IPS is inline or as an end host.

How Does IDS/IPS Detect Threats?

Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) and Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS) are essential tools in the telecom industry to prevent and detect various cyber threats. IDS and IPS are designed to monitor and analyze network traffic for anomalies, malicious behavior, and security policy violations. IDS is a passive security tool that monitors network traffic and generates alerts when it detects suspicious activity. At the same time, IPS is an active security tool that can block traffic based on predefined rules.

IDS/IPS detects threats through several techniques, including signature-based, anomaly-based, and behavioral-based detection. Signature-based detection compares network traffic against a database of known threats and triggers an alert if a match exists. Anomaly-based detection looks for deviations from normal network behavior and triggers an alert if it detects unusual activity. Behavioral-based detection focuses on identifying patterns of behavior that indicate malicious intent and triggers an alert if it detects such behavior.

In the telecom industry, IDS/IPS can detect various threats, including Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks, malware, viruses, worms, and Trojan horses. These threats can cause significant damage to a telecom network, leading to service disruptions, data breaches, and financial losses.

For example, DDoS attacks can flood a network with traffic, causing service disruptions and downtime. IDS/IPS can detect and block these attacks by analyzing traffic patterns and identifying abnormal traffic volumes. Similarly, malware can infect a network and compromise sensitive data. IDS/IPS can detect and prevent malware by analyzing network traffic and identifying malicious behavior.

Overall, IDS/IPS are critical security tools in the telecom industry that help prevent and detect cyber threats. By monitoring network traffic and analyzing it for anomalies and malicious behavior, IDS/IPS can identify and block potential security breaches before they cause significant damage to a telecom network.

SecGen's IDS & IPS

In addition to IDS and IPS, we also have a robust firewall to enhance our security measures further. The firewall is a barrier between our network and the internet, preventing unauthorized access and filtering malicious traffic. It allows us to set up rules and policies to control data flow and limit access to sensitive information. Our security experts constantly monitor and update the firewall to ensure it remains effective against new and emerging threats. At SecGen, we understand that cyber threats are constantly evolving, so we proactively approach security and invest in cutting-edge technologies to protect our customers' data and assets.