IPS vs. IDS – What’s the Difference?
Rob Martini of the Martini Supply Company knew he had a big problem. He didn’t know much about technology, but he knew that he was under some kind of cyberattack. On a daily basis, he faced annoying viruses that wreaked havoc on his systems and slowed down his productivity. No matter what he did, the viruses seemed to get through.
Rob knew he desperately needed help. He fired up his unfortunate computer and began to research what he could do to improve the security of his network. Intrigued, Rob read more and more, later coming across the topic of choosing IPS vs. IDS.
Rob was confused by the issue(and truthfully a little overwhelmed by all the other information, too).
He struggled to understand the difference between the two. Which was better for his company, the intrusion detection system (IDS) or the intrusion prevention system (IPS)?
Luckily, a helpful blog written by DMS Technology saved the day.
The blog that Rob read went something like this:
What an IDS does
An IDS is a device that analyzes data packets and looks for known malicious code. When it detects a malicious entity, the IDS logs it and flags it as a potential threat. The IDS used to be limited to sitting somewhere outside of the primary network infrastructure, where it scanned constantly.
When it was created, it was limited to this spot because it would create a massive lag on the network. A modern IDS performs the action of scanning much faster than before and it can sit directly within the flow of data. The IDS is classified as a “listen-only” device, which means it is unable to take any action to prevent malicious code from entering the network.
What an IPS does
An IPS is based on the same basic concept as an IDS. Rather than taking a passive role, it actively blocks threats from attacking. Similar to an IDS, the IPS runs a scan on the packets entering the network for known malicious code. When it finds a possible offender, it drops the packet to prevent it from reaching the critical areas of your network infrastructure.
What did Rob do?
Rob paused from reading the blog. He wasn’t sure about what to do. On one hand, he could get an IDS and use it to monitor his network effectively. However, Rob understood that he wasn’t knowledgeable enough to actually handle the malicious infections. Besides, he didn’t have the time to sort them all out.
He then considered purchasing an IPS. He liked the fact that it blocked things on its own, but he disliked the high costs. Despite his company growing rapidly, he couldn’t justify the need for such an expensive piece of technology.
When it came to choosing IPS vs. IDS, Rob felt stuck. He wanted the level of protection that an IPS brought, without the prohibitive costs. He felt defeated until he read the end of the blog, which said:
Next-Gen Firewalls from DMS Technology
Why worry about a standalone IPS or IDS? With next-gen firewalls, you’ll have multiple security measures that will protect you against cyberattacks. Our firewalls come with IPS modules that protect against malicious threats, and cost a fraction of the amount of a standalone IPS. Contact us to see how we can leverage next-gen firewalls for your business!
Rob’s Choice
Rob knew what he had to do. He contacted DMS and worked with them to establish his very own next-gen firewall in his company. Overnight, the annoying viruses and malicious code that plagued him for so long disappeared. With the help of DMS, the Martini Supply Company became the largest distributors of their kind in the nation.
Rob took full control over all aspects of his business. With his secure network and increased productivity, Rob lived happily ever after.
