IPS and IDPS systems
Every network faces the threat of attacks that may damage a system or alter how the network runs. To prevent this, IPS and IDPS systems are implemented to monitor any suspicious or contrary activity in the network. Apart from securing networks, IPS and IDPS can be used to address corporate security issues, thus preventing employees and guests from breaking the set outlaws. These systems consider an action a threat if it has ever been categorized as a threat, if an action is contrary to normal activities and if an action goes against a set-out policy. Both the IPS and IDPS have similarities, such as the ability to prevent threats to a system and also how they detect threats. However, they also have contrasting properties, such as the ability to notify the administrator of an attack and even difference in how data is processed.
Similarities between IPS and IDPS.
Both IPS and IDPS can be used to protect the network from outside and inside threats. Both IPS and IDPS are located behind a networks firewall to counter any threat that goes through the firewall and preventing the threat from reaching the network. The IPS protects the network by identifying a threat and setting up a measure to ensure that the risk is dealt with. While the IDPS secures the network by identifying threats and reporting them to an administrator, furthermore, they also use the same method to identify a risk. They both identify signature-based threats (threats that have been previously defined), threats that cause abnormal functioning of the system, and threats that go against the laid out policies in the network.
Contrasting the difference between IPS and IDPS.
Even though they all protect a network, they neutralize the threat differently. IPS and IDPS systems identify a threat and diffuse the threat by removing the threat, blocking IP address where threats came from, and restarting the entire network. However, the IDPS goes further and sends a notification about the threat to an administrator. The IPS systems do not send any notification to the admin but instead handles the threat on its own. This has its limitation since the IPS can flag down genuine traffic that is not a threat hence slowing the speed of operation in the network. Also, an administrator may find it challenging to diagnose the solution due to the lack of information from the system. Furthermore, while fighting a threat, IDPS systems also send all the data regarding the threat together with the alarm to the administrator.
In conclusion
Both IPS and IDPS are credible systems that can be adopted to secure a network and also notify an administrator of possible threats to a network. However, they work differently and should be adopted where appropriate to ensure that they work efficiently and not slowing the network down. These systems ensure that a network is safe from threats that may damage the network. Besides that, it allows an organization to create better security measures to protect its self from unforeseen threats. Before adopting one or both of these systems into a network, an organization should seek consultation on these systems to ensure that they select a system that suits their security needs.