How an IDS Can Protect Your Business from Cyberattacks

Businesses are becoming more reliant on the use of interconnected systems to achieve their business goals. In the same vein, cyber threats and attacks are becoming more sophisticated. This draws more attention to the importance of network security in today’s digital world. An Intrusion Detection System (IDS) is one of the many tools used to secure networks from cyber attacks. It detects attacks and protects against them through monitoring and notification.

In this article, you will learn what an IDS is, how it works, its types, components, deployment strategies, and best practices for implementation so that you can be able to use an IDS to detect malicious activities within your network.

Content Overview

• What is an Intrusion Detection System (IDS)?
• How Does an Intrusion Detection System (IDS) Work?
• Components of an IDS
• Types of Intrusion Detection Systems
• IDS Deployment Strategies
• IDS Deployment To-do List
• Benefits of IDS
• Best Practices for Effective IDS Implementation
• Bottom Line

What Is an Intrusion Detection System (IDS)?

An IDS, also known as Intrusion Detection System, is a network security tool designed to monitor interconnected systems for unauthorized activities and help protect them. It’s usually designed as either a hardware device, a software application, or a cloud-based application.

It is important to note that an IDS is quite different from network security solutions like firewalls, antivirus, and others. These other tools focus on preventing unauthorized access. On the other hand, IDS focuses on watching your network traffic and system logs so that it can detect potential threats and alert you to take necessary precautions.

How Does an Intrusion Detection System (IDS) Work?

IDS simply monitors networks to detect potential threats before they cause serious damage. With this understanding, it is important to understand how exactly it works. Here are some key ways it works:

• An IDS constantly monitors your network traffic and takes snapshots of data flowing through your network.

• It can use signature-based detection to compare monitored network traffic against a database of familiar attack patterns.

• It can also use anomaly-based detection to measure normal network activities and identify abnormal measurements.

• Sometimes an IDS uses machine learning algorithms to help you understand past attacks and adapt to new or future threats.

• When an IDS notices any suspicious activity, it generates alerts to notify you—the administrator or security personnel.

• Upon receiving an alert (usually via notifications, emails, or log entries) the security personnel analyzes the alert and takes necessary actions.

Components of an IDS

The Intrusion Detection System market is growing rapidly. As of 2023, it has a valuation of US$ 5.8 billion and is predicted to touch a valuation of US$ 9.3 billion by 2032. This demonstrates that with the rise in the number of sophisticated cyber attacks, IDS will be in higher demand. What components make this network security solution so desirable?

4 main components make up an Intrusion Detection System (IDS). Let’s take a look at these main components and the functions they perform:

1. Sensor and Agent

A sensor and agent are parts of an IDS used to monitor and analyze data within the network. Think of them as sense organs. While the sensors monitor network activities, the agents monitor host activities. For example, the sensors can monitor your network traffic, while the agents monitor your system logs. Collected data are used to identify potential threats within the network. Usually, you can deploy one or more sensors or agents, depending on how many endpoints you want to monitor.

2. Management Server

After data monitoring and analysis, a management server collects data from the sensors and agents. This component can also analyze and group the collected data to detect malicious activities. The number of management servers used by enterprises in their IDS varies. For example, in large organizations, you’ll find one or more. In small organizations, you’ll most likely find none.

3. Database Server

Analyzing and collecting data is not enough. You also need to save them for future use. This is why a database server is a core part of any Intrusion Detection System. It serves as a storage for data collected and analyzed in real-time. For some IDS solutions, you can use an integrated database. For others, you can use an external or separate database like MySQL, MariaDB, Oracle, or Firebase.

4. Management Console

The management console is simply the component where every administrative operation is carried out. This is where you configure your sensors or agents, compile logs, generate detection rules, create and manage alerts, and even report IDS activities. All consoles do not perform the same functions. And how you operate your console is often determined by its design.

Types of Intrusion Detection Systems

There are different types of Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS). Each is uniquely designed to work for specific needs. Here are the three main types of IDS:

1. Network-based Intrusion Detection System (NIDS)

Network IDS is used to monitor network traffic so that it can detect potential threats coming into the network. You can deploy it at strategic points within your network to help you take snapshots of your network traffic in real time.

Usually, it employs signature-based and anomaly-based techniques. That is, NIDS can monitor your network traffic for identification of attack signatures or abnormal network behavior. For example, it can notice your network attack patterns using a signature-based detection, or unusual login attempts using an anomaly-based detection. Upon detection of threats, it generates an alert for you to take action.

In most cases, this type of IDS is designed and deployed as a hardware device or software application. While NIDS provides visibility and can help you detect network-level attacks, it cannot effectively detect attacks within encrypted traffic.

2. Host-based Intrusion Detection System (HIDS)

Host IDS is used to monitor host devices and detect potential threats within the network. You can deploy it in target hosts as a software application. This way, it can monitor your system logs, files, server logs, and other activities within the network.

HIDS uses signature-based and anomaly-based techniques to examine the host's behavior. It compares this examination against attack signatures or abnormal host behavior. Then it generates alerts to notify you when it detects a compromised host within the network.

Generally, it can identify insider attacks. Unlike NIDS, it can detect attacks within encrypted traffic because of its host-level visibility. However, it cannot effectively detect network-level attacks.

3. Hybrid Intrusion Detection System:

Hybrid IDS is deployed to serve the purposes of both NIDS and HIDS. It uses features of the two Intrusive Detection Systems. By combining both network-level monitoring and host-level analysis, hybrid IDS helps you provide a robust network security solution.

It employs NIDS features to monitor network traffic while using HIDS features to examine host devices. This ensures balanced network-level and host-level visibility. More so, this combination makes it possible to not only strengthen your network security but to also completely understand its ecosystem.

IDS Deployment Strategies

To effectively deploy an Intrusive Detection System, you must consider following the right strategies. Here are two common deployment strategies you can use:

1. Sensors or Agents Placement:

First, determine where to place the sensors or agents within the network. Where they’re placed will determine the reach of the IDS within the landscape. There are two ways enterprises do this. Some place sensors or agents directly in the path of network traffic to enable real-time monitoring and active detection of threats. Others place sensors or agents where they can passively monitor a copy of network traffic so that they won’t affect the network performance. Both methods are effective. But while the former can help you prevent threats in real time, the latter may not be able to. Depending on your organization’s security policies and performance requirements, you can use any of the two.

2. Architecture Type:

Now that you’ve decided on a placement for the sensors or agents, you need to also determine how to arrange and manage them. The effectiveness of your IDS depends on the type of architecture you use. Businesses mostly use two types of architecture. Some deploy sensors or agents across several network segments or host endpoints, while others collect data from several sensors or agents toward a central location. Some organizations use a mixture of both to get comprehensive coverage of the network. The three approaches are equally valid, and the best choice for you will depend on your organization’s network size and resource availability.

IDS Deployment To-do List

The following are tasks to carry out before and after deploying an Intrusion Detection System. Note that they are generic, but are also industry norms for IDS deployment:

1. Administrative System: Set up an administrative system that consists of your placement, architecture, and management console.

2. Logging System: Create a logging system that enables you to collect large amounts of data, store them, and back them up.

3. Audit Policy: Without an audit policy, your IDS is just a nonfunctional tool. Develop an audit policy and check your logs regularly to track and handle all potential threats.

4. IDS Deployment: Implement a network-based IDS first, to start gathering data. Deploying a host-based IDS should come second. This is an industry standard.

5. IDS Policies: Establish IDS standards throughout the entire deployment process and afterward. They can include configurations, logging, auditing, reporting, etc. And you can refine them often to suit your business needs.

6. Incident response: Develop an incident response procedure to ensure prompt protection of systems before serious damage is made.

7. Forensic Toolkits: Research and purchase tools needed to examine network data once an incident occurs. Ensure the forensic toolkits meet your company’s requirements and security personnel are well-trained on how to use them.

Benefits of IDS

You now know what strategies you can use to implement intrusion detection tools. What benefits does this implementation offer your organization?

Let's take a look:

1. IDS helps you monitor your network landscape to detect potential vulnerabilities early so you can respond promptly before an attacker causes severe damage.

2. It uses attack signatures (signature-based detection) and network behavior (anomaly-based detection) to help detect and block malicious attacks.

3. Upon detection of threats, IDS can generate alerts for security personnel so that they can take efficient measures needed to mitigate incidents.

4. With the deployment of IDS in your organization, every employee becomes security-conscious and more vigilant about network security.

5. IDS is flexible and this makes it possible for organizations to customize and use it according to the needs of their network security infrastructure.

Best Practices for Effective IDS Implementation

It’s one thing to know the appropriate deployment strategy to use, it’s another thing to follow the best practices. These two combined, make IDS implementation effective within your organization’s network.

Here are some of these best practices:

1. Before you deploy an IDS, clearly state the goals you want to achieve using the system. This way, you’ll know what type of Intrusion Detection System and deployment strategy to use.

2. Place the sensors or agents in strategic locations within the network to get appropriate monitoring and comprehensive visibility. For example, you can place them at your network entry points.

3. Monitor and analyze the IDS events and notifications from time to time. This will help you respond to potential threats as soon as possible.

4. IDS alone does not prevent attacks. Ensure you integrate it with proactive security solutions like firewalls, Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS), and security awareness training.

5. Always remember to maintain and update your IDS policies so that it can understand emerging and potential threats in the network landscape.

6. Customize the IDS to generate more appropriate alerts and predictions so that it can generate fewer false positives and false negatives.

7. Network security is the responsibility of every member of the organization. You should promote network security awareness among employees. It shouldn’t be limited to just security personnel.

8. Carry out audits regularly and ensure it complies with industry security standards. Also, review the IDS systems to comply with changing standards.

9. Work hand-in-hand with network security communities and IDS vendors to stay up to date on the latest threats, technical developments, and industry best practices.

10. Intrusion Detection Systems continuously monitor your network traffic and host devices to detect potential threats. You also need to continuously evaluate its performance to determine its effectiveness.

Bottom Line

Intrusion Detection Systems are very useful in today's digital world. They are a strong defense mechanism by monitoring networks and detecting potential threats. Businesses, big or small, can use different types and deployment strategies of IDS to strengthen their network security. Proactive security tools like firewalls and Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS) should be incorporated to provide robust network security. Get a free consultation with our security expert to learn more.