What is intrusion detection systems?

Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) are security systems that monitor network traffic for malicious activity or policy violations. They analyze network and system activity for suspicious patterns, and then alert administrators. IDS can be either host-based (monitoring a single host) or network-based (monitoring network traffic). They are commonly used to identify and respond to potential security threats, such as unauthorized access, malware infections, and denial-of-service attacks. They act as a surveillance system, often working in conjunction with firewalls and other security measures to provide a more comprehensive defense.