Network Intrusion Detection Systems

This question asks if you have systems that monitor all network traffic for signs of cyber attacks or suspicious activity. Think of it as security cameras watching all the digital traffic flowing through your company's network, looking for patterns that indicate someone is trying to break in or steal data. These systems alert your security team when they spot potential threats.

Network IDS is fundamental to any serious security program. Without it, attacks can go unnoticed until damage is done - data stolen, systems compromised, or customers impacted. Enterprise buyers expect network IDS as a baseline security control because it provides visibility into attack attempts and helps demonstrate due diligence. Having IDS can reduce breach detection time from the industry average of 200+ days to mere hours, potentially saving millions in breach costs and preserving customer trust.

Many companies install IDS but never properly configure or monitor it, essentially having an expensive alarm system that no one watches. Another mistake is relying solely on default signatures without customizing for your specific environment, missing targeted attacks. Companies also often underestimate the resources needed to investigate IDS alerts, leading to ignored warnings.