What is the purpose of an intrusion detection system (IDS)?

An intrusion detection system (IDS) is specifically designed to monitor network traffic and analyze it for any suspicious or malicious activity. Its primary function is to detect potential security breaches, such as unauthorized access attempts or anomalous behavior that may indicate an attack. When such activity is identified, the IDS generates alerts to inform security personnel, enabling them to respond promptly to potential threats.

Unlike a preventative measure, which actively blocks access or modifies the environment (as indicated by options focused on prevention and backups), the role of an IDS is to provide visibility and awareness of what is happening within a network. This monitoring capability is crucial for maintaining security and addressing issues as they arise rather than solely preventing them beforehand.

The other options, while related to security practices, do not encapsulate the specific function of an IDS. They emphasize prevention, automation, and data integrity rather than the monitoring and alerting capabilities that define an IDS.