Security Glossary

Definition

IDS

What is Intrusion Detection System?

A monitoring system that analyzes network traffic or host activity for signs of malicious behavior and generates alerts when suspicious patterns are detected. Network-based IDS (NIDS) monitors traffic across a network segment; host-based IDS (HIDS) monitors activity on individual endpoints. Unlike an IPS, an IDS is passive — it detects and reports threats but does not block them, making it a detective rather than a preventive control.

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