13 September 2021

IDS vs IPS | Difference between IDS and IPS

Security tools such as intrusion detection systems and intrusion prevention systems are examples of such defenses. IPS and IDS solutions use similar technology, but each performs a different function, occupies a different location in the network, and defends against different types of attacks. To better understand this relationship. So now let us check the difference between IDS vs IPS to better understand this topic.

What is IDS?

IDS analyzes and monitors network traffic for signs that an attacker is attempting to infiltrate or steal data from your network by employing a known cyber threat. To detect the various type of behaviors such as security policy violations, malware, and port scanners. IDS systems compare current network activity to a known threat database.

What is IPS?

An IPS is an active security system. It like the IDS attempts to identify potential threats by monitoring features of a protected host or network and can employ signature, anomaly, or hybrid detection methods. 

IDS vs IPS |  Difference between IDS and IPS:

  • IDS stands for an intrusion detection system, while the IPS stands for an Intrusion prevention system.
  • IDS is a passive system type, while the IPS is active and/or passive.
  • IDS is signature detection, exploit facing signatures, while the IPS is statistical anomaly-based detection signature detection, exploit facing signatures, vulnerability facing signatures.
  • IDS is out of band from data communication, while the IPS is in line with data communication.
  • IDS sens alarm/alert of detecting malicious traffic, while the IPS drop, alert or clean malicious traffic
  • IDS does not impact network performance due to non-online deployment. while the IPS is slow down network performance due to delay caused by inline IPS processing.
  • IDS does not block legitimate traffic which might be blocked by IPS at times, while the IPS is preferred by most organizations since detection and prevention are automatically performed.