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

The primary purpose of an intrusion detection system (IDS) is to monitor network traffic for suspicious activity. An IDS is designed to analyze incoming and outgoing network traffic and identify patterns that may indicate potential security breaches, such as unauthorized access attempts, anomalies in traffic flow, or the presence of known threats. By continuously monitoring the environment, an IDS helps organizations detect intrusions early, enabling timely responses to mitigate threats and protect sensitive data.

The other options do not align with the main function of an IDS. While enhancing network speed and performance is important for overall system functionality, it is not a goal of an IDS. Antivirus protection focuses on detecting and removing malware, which, although crucial, is distinct from the role of an IDS. Similarly, backing up network data is a separate process aimed at data recovery and is not involved in real-time monitoring for security threats. Thus, the correct understanding emphasizes the IDS’s role in surveillance and threat detection as its foundational purpose.