What is the primary purpose of an Intrusion Detection System (IDS)?

An Intrusion Detection System (IDS) is primarily designed to monitor and analyze the activities happening within a network or on specific systems to identify signs of potential security breaches or unauthorized access. It serves as a surveillance tool that observes traffic patterns, system behavior, and other indicators of intrusions. When abnormal activities are detected, the IDS alerts administrators to investigate and respond to potential threats.

The essence of an IDS is to provide visibility into security events and incidents, enabling organizations to respond swiftly to emerging threats. Unlike prevention systems, such as firewalls or intrusion prevention systems (IPS), which actively block suspicious activities, an IDS focuses on detection and alerting, allowing for the evaluation and response to security incidents.

In contrast, options related to preventing unauthorized access, providing user authentication, or enhancing network speed do not accurately reflect the fundamental function of an IDS. While an effective security approach may include elements of prevention and user authentication, the primary role of an IDS remains centered on monitoring and detection.