SectionNetwork Security
Technology category
IDS/IPS
IDS/IPS belongs to the Network Security area. IDS/IPS detects or blocks malicious network activity using signatures, anomalies, and known attack techniques. IDS informs, while IPS actively intervenes in traffic.
Acronym Glossary
This glossary explains acronyms used in this part so the intended security function is clear.
- IDS
- Intrusion Detection SystemA system for detecting suspicious or malicious network activity without directly blocking traffic.
- IPS
- Intrusion Prevention SystemA system for detecting and actively blocking malicious network activity inline.
What This Technology Covers
IDS/IPS detects or blocks malicious network activity using signatures, anomalies, and known attack techniques. IDS informs, while IPS actively intervenes in traffic.
Why It Matters
It provides the most value when deployed in the right traffic path or over relevant network flows.
In practice, this is not only a technical function. It is a way to place the solution into a broader security architecture. Many organizations operate dozens of consoles and tools, so the challenge is also to understand which technology solves which type of risk.
This category helps name the problem precisely, narrow the list of relevant solutions, and distinguish technologies that may look similar at first glance. That is useful for partners and customers who already understand cybersecurity but need a clear map of the market and available portfolio.
Typical Use Cases
IDS/IPS is usually considered when an organization needs tighter control over a specific security layer within Network Security. It can complement an existing architecture, replace an outdated tool, improve visibility, or consolidate functions currently split across multiple products.
Place In The Architecture
Within the broader Network Security architecture, IDS/IPS should be assessed by how it connects to existing security and operational processes. Its practical value appears when the solution provides usable data, clear policies, understandable reporting, and integrations with existing tools.
When mapping this technology to SecTec portfolio vendors, it is important to consider not only the feature itself, but also deployment model, licensing, management level, supported platforms, and integration with adjacent areas. In a specific architecture, IDS/IPS may be a standalone platform, a capability, or part of a broader solution.
How To Assess The Technology
When selecting a solution, the most important assessment points are:
- which problem the solution covers and where its boundaries are
- whether it supports the organization's existing environment
- how it integrates with SIEM, SOAR, XDR, IAM, cloud, or ticketing
- what level of automation, reporting, and auditability it provides
- whether it reduces operational complexity or only adds another isolated console
Related Areas
Vendors From The SecTec Portfolio
Attack coverage and defensive context
MITRE ATT&CK® Enterprise version 19.1 is used as a reference model. The mapping is a SecTec expert interpretation and does not imply endorsement by MITRE.
Practical attack scenarios
- Public application or API abuseAn adversary exploits a vulnerable web application, API, client-side code, or software component for initial access and execution.
- Lateral movement inside the networkAfter initial access, an adversary discovers systems, accounts, and services and moves toward higher-value assets.
- Malware and Command and ControlMalicious code executes, maintains access, and communicates with adversary infrastructure through common or covert channels.
- Ransomware and availability impactAn adversary encrypts or manipulates data, stops services, inhibits recovery, and creates operational impact.
- Attacks on OT and IoT environmentsAn adversary discovers industrial or connected devices, abuses remote access and network services, and threatens operational availability.
- Reconnaissance and attack surface mappingAn adversary collects information about people, systems, cloud services, and internet-facing infrastructure and searches for a viable initial-access path.
- Defense evasion and control impairmentAn adversary hides activity, removes evidence, disguises code, or weakens security tools, encryption, firewalls, and recovery mechanisms.
- DDoS and resource exhaustionAn adversary floods a network, application, API, or endpoint and exhausts capacity, connections, or compute resources to reduce service availability.
- Injection and command executionUntrusted input changes the meaning of a command, query, or template and enables data access, logic bypass, or code execution.
Relevant ATT&CK techniques
- T1021 · Remote ServicesDetect, Prevent, Respond
- T1046 · Network Service DiscoveryDetect, Prevent, Respond
- T1071 · Application Layer ProtocolDetect, Prevent, Respond
- T1095 · Non-Application Layer ProtocolDetect, Prevent, Respond
- T1105 · Ingress Tool TransferDetect, Prevent, Respond
- T1190 · Exploit Public-Facing ApplicationDetect, Prevent, Respond
- T1210 · Exploitation of Remote ServicesDetect, Prevent, Respond
- T1498 · Network Denial of ServiceDetect, Prevent, Respond
- T1686 · Disable or Modify System FirewallDetect, Prevent, Respond