IDS vs IPS vs EDR
IDS, IPS, and EDR are three distinct cybersecurity tools that serve different purposes in protecting networks and endpoints:
Intrusion Detection System (IDS)
An IDS monitors network traffic and analyses it for signs of potential security threats. Key features include:
Passive monitoring: It only detects and alerts, without taking action
Requires human intervention to respond to threats
Can be network-based (NIDS) or host-based (HIDS)
Uses signature-based and anomaly-based detection methods
Intrusion Prevention System (IPS)
An IPS builds upon IDS capabilities but adds active threat prevention:
Positioned inline between the internal network and external internet
Automatically blocks detected threats without human intervention
Can drop malicious packets before they enter the network
Often combined with IDS in Unified Threat Management (UTM) solutions
Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)
EDR is a more advanced endpoint security solution:
Focuses on endpoint protection rather than just network traffic
Provides continuous monitoring and threat detection on endpoints
Offers automated response capabilities, including quarantining infected endpoints
Enables threat hunting and forensic analysis
More comprehensive than IDS in detecting and responding to sophisticated threats
In summary, IDS focuses on detection, IPS adds prevention capabilities, while EDR provides advanced endpoint-specific protection, detection, and response functionalities.