Visibility in IDS/IPS Tools
Introduction
The importance of visibility in intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDS/IPS) cannot be overstated. In today’s complex and ever-changing threat landscape, organizations need to have a clear understanding of their network security posture at all times. This requires a robust IDS/IPS solution that provides realtime visibility into network traffic, alerting security teams to any potential threats and enabling them to take quick and effective action to mitigate those threats. Without visibility, organizations risk being blindsided by attacks, leading to costly breaches and damage to their reputation. This white paper explores the various benefits of visibility in IDS/IPS tools and how it helps organizations stay ahead of cyber threats.
Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems IT leaders face a great challenge in trying to keep all digital assets safe, profitable, and well-governed. Many security systems are chosen to translate these objectives into realistic and attainable security projects. However, these systems are only as good as the information they receive. Therefore, to support the decision based on data, IT leaders need thorough and reliable information about their technology, which requires complete data visibility of the network traffic for the examination of suspicious activities.
To understand better why an organization needs these systems to keep secure from emerging threats, it is crucial to know how they work and which one is the best option for an organization’s needs.
An intrusion detection system (IDS) is a type of security software that monitors network traffic for suspicious activity and alerts security personnel when such activity is detected. An intrusion prevention system (IPS) is a more advanced version of an IDS that not only detects suspicious activity, but also takes action to prevent it from occurring.
Both IDS and IPS can be effective tools for improving network security, but they have different strengths and can be used in different ways.
An IDS is primarily focused on detecting potential threats and alerting security personnel. It can be used to identify anomalies in network traffic and alert on potential security breaches, but it does not have the ability to prevent those breaches from occurring.
An IPS, on the other hand, is designed to proactively block potential threats. It can analyze network traffic in real-time and take action to prevent malicious activity from occurring. This can include blocking certain types of traffic or quarantining potentially infected devices.
In terms of which is better for network security, it really depends on the specific needs of the organization. An IDS can be a good choice for organizations that want to be notified of potential threats but do not want to block any traffic. An IPS can be a better choice for organizations that want to be more proactive in protecting their networks and are willing to accept a higher level of false positives (legitimate traffic that is mistakenly blocked). In some cases, organizations may choose to use both an IDS and an IPS as part of their security strategy, leveraging the strengths of both types of tools.
What should a company consider when choosing an IDS/IPS tool for network security:
• Compatibility with the organization’s existing infrastructure: It is important to choose an IDS/IPS tool that is compatible with the organization’s existing network infrastructure, including hardware and software.
• Ease of use and deployment: The IDS/IPS tool should be easy to install and configure, with clear documentation and support available if needed.
• Detection and prevention capabilities: The IDS/IPS tool should have the ability to detect a wide range of potential threats, as well as the ability to prevent those threats from causing harm.
• Performance and scalability: The IDS/IPS tool should be able to handle the volume and complexity of the organization’s network traffic without causing performance issues. It should also be scalable to meet the organization’s future needs.
• Integration with other security tools: The IDS/IPS tool should be able to integrate with the organization’s other security tools, such as firewalls and security information and event management (SIEM) systems, to provide a comprehensive security solution.
• Cost: The IDS/IPS tool should be affordable for the organization, with pricing that is reasonable given the tool’s capabilities and the organization’s needs.
It is important for organizations to carefully evaluate the various options available and choose an IDS/IPS tool that meets their specific needs and requirements.
Benefits of network visibility in IDS/IPS tools
As discussed previously, these security and monitoring systems are only as good as the information they receive. Therefore, complete visibility of network traffic will enable the tools to perform at their best, helping organizations to stay ahead of emerging cyber threats:
• Early warning: Visibility in IDS/IPS tools allows organizations to detect potential threats early on, giving them a head start in addressing and mitigating those threats. This early warning can be vital for threats that evolve quickly, such as zero-day vulnerabilities or sophisticated targeted attacks.
• Improved threat detection: By providing a comprehensive view of network traffic, IDS/IPS tools with good visibility can more accurately detect and alert on potential threats. This improved threat detection can help organizations stay ahead of cyber threats by identifying and responding to them before they can cause significant damage.
• Enhanced incident response: With visibility into their network security posture, organizations can more effectively respond to incidents when they do occur. This can include identifying the source of an attack, assessing the scope and impact of the incident, and taking appropriate remediation measures.
• Increased efficiency: Visibility in IDS/IPS tools can help organizations streamline their security processes, allowing them to allocate resources and prioritize tasks more efficiently. This can help reduce the overall cost of maintaining network security and improve the effectiveness of security efforts.
• Better compliance: Many regulatory frameworks require organizations to have robust security measures in place, including IDS/IPS solutions. Visibility in these tools can help organizations demonstrate compliance with these requirements, protecting them from potential fines and legal action.
What’s the next step to improve network visibility?
The advantages of total visibility into network traffic and the beneficial effects it has on an organization’s security strategy are clear, so it is crucial to understand how visibility can be enhanced across the entire network to increase the coverage and effectiveness of all security tools.
There are several ways an organization can improve network visibility in their IDS/IPS tools:
✓ Use a network TAP: A network TAP (Traffic Access Point) is a hardware device that makes an exact copy of all the traffic that flows between two end-points in a network. They are usually favored because they are independent of the network, making them fully configurable. The copied traffic, from the TAP, is then able to undergo complex packet manipulation, as it is output to various network tools; such as security and performance tools. All this is completed while the live traffic continues to pass through the network, without disturbance.
✓ Configure the IDS/IPS tool properly: Proper configuration of the IDS/IPS tool can greatly improve visibility. This can include setting up the tool to monitor all relevant network traffic, as well as configuring alerting and reporting settings to provide the desired level of visibility.
✓ Utilize additional security tools: In addition to the IDS/IPS tool, organizations can leverage other monitoring tools, such as network traffic analysis tools, to provide additional visibility into their network security posture.
✓ Conduct regular reviews and assessments: Regularly reviewing and assessing the IDS/IPS tool, as well as the organization’s overall security posture, can help identify areas where visibility can be improved. This can involve analyzing alert logs, testing the tool’s effectiveness, and making any necessary adjustments to the configuration or deployment.
✓ Keep the IDS/IPS tool up to date: Keeping the IDS/IPS tool up to date with the latest security signatures and patches can help ensure that it is able to detect the most current threats and provide the best possible visibility. Overall, improving network visibility in IDS/IPS tools requires a combination of proper configuration, the use of additional security tools, and ongoing monitoring and maintenance.
Why is important to use network TAPs on our security strategy?
Network TAPs are often used in conjunction with network monitoring and analysis tools, such as intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDS/IPS), to provide visibility into network traffic. There are several reasons why TAPs are an excellent solution for network visibility:
• TAPs provide a complete and comprehensive view of network traffic: By providing a connection point for monitoring all traffic on a given network segment, TAPs can provide a comprehensive view of all network traffic, including both inbound and outbound traffic.
• TAPs are scalable: TAPs can be used to monitor traffic across a range of network sizes, from small local networks to large enterprise networks. This makes them a flexible and scalable solution for improving network visibility.
• TAPs are easy to deploy: TAPs are relatively simple to install and do not require any special configuration or setup. This makes them an easy and straightforward solution. Network TAPs can be a valuable tool for improving network visibility, particularly when used in conjunction with other monitoring and analysis tools.