When choosing IDPS solutions, it's essential to consider their capability to adapt and respond to evolving threats. Look for features including:
Real-time data analysis
Automated response mechanisms
Compatibility with existing IT infrastructure
Comprehensive reporting and alerting systems
Scalability
Ease of integration
Customizable security policies
Real-time data analysis is crucial as it enables the system to detect and respond to threats instantly, minimizing potential damage. Automated response mechanisms play a vital role in ensuring quick actions are taken to mitigate risks without solely relying on human intervention. Compatibility with existing IT infrastructure is important to ensure seamless integration and operation without disrupting current processes.
Comprehensive reporting and alerting systems provide invaluable insights and timely notifications, aiding in efficient threat management. Scalability ensures the IDPS can grow alongside your business, accommodating increased traffic and complexities. Ease of integration makes it simple to deploy across various platforms, reducing the time required for full implementation. Lastly, customizable security policies allow tailoring of specific defenses to meet distinct security protocols, ensuring a refined approach to managing threats.
Search for a product comparison in Intrusion Detection and Prevention Software (IDPS)
From a pure cyber security and technical point of view the most important aspects are: (1) The detection rate and (2) The width of coverage (how much attack surface is protected).
For the first one, it is unfortunately very difficult to assess the detection rate of a solution unless you are an expert with a large dataset of threats (known and unknown) at your disposal to benchmark the solution against. In any case, you should make sure the solution is capable of detecting unknown and novel threats - this is, the solution must go beyond heuristics and possess a profound understanding of cyber threats.
Second, the width of coverage means that the solution covers a large number of threat verticals but more importantly is deployed at anywhere where a threat may appear. In several cases, customers do not cover all the areas of their network.
So.. the technical aspects of your ID should be based on your environment.
So not trying to oversimplify or downplay the need for the IDS to meet your technical thresholds, but those get discussed a lot. Operational impacts/criteria are often overlooked, in my opinion. I think the key factors are usability (how easy it is to train my folks to use it? how easy is it to integrate it into my operational processes, etc.) and interoperability with my current security ecosystem.
If I have to do a lot of tweaking to get it to work or I need a workaround to get feed accuracy then I'm probably not inclined to pursue a product.
Tuning is one thing. I expect that, but I don't expect the coding equivalent to duct tape and bubblegum to get it to talk and interact with my SIEM, SOAR, etc.
- Capabilities, if we don't understand what these are it is unlikely we will have a success story.
- The expertise to operate
- Product documentation
- Training provided by a supplier
- Best practices
- Successful use case scenario (ideally from the same industry),
- Pricing (matters for local gov), etc.
Documentation. Algorithmic transparency. Ability to get someone smart on the phone FAST at the vendor, without going through gatekeepers. Confidence levels (statistical validity).
Find out what your peers are saying about Darktrace, Vectra AI, Check Point Software Technologies and others in Intrusion Detection and Prevention Software (IDPS). Updated: March 2025.
Intrusion Detection and Prevention Software (IDPS) solutions are crucial for maintaining the security of network systems. They detect and block unauthorized access in real-time, providing a comprehensive layer of protection against cyber threats.Implementing IDPS in an organization's network infrastructure helps in identifying suspicious activities and unauthorized breaches. This software works by monitoring network traffic, analyzing data packets, and responding automatically to potential...
When choosing IDPS solutions, it's essential to consider their capability to adapt and respond to evolving threats. Look for features including:
Real-time data analysis is crucial as it enables the system to detect and respond to threats instantly, minimizing potential damage. Automated response mechanisms play a vital role in ensuring quick actions are taken to mitigate risks without solely relying on human intervention. Compatibility with existing IT infrastructure is important to ensure seamless integration and operation without disrupting current processes.
Comprehensive reporting and alerting systems provide invaluable insights and timely notifications, aiding in efficient threat management. Scalability ensures the IDPS can grow alongside your business, accommodating increased traffic and complexities. Ease of integration makes it simple to deploy across various platforms, reducing the time required for full implementation. Lastly, customizable security policies allow tailoring of specific defenses to meet distinct security protocols, ensuring a refined approach to managing threats.
From a pure cyber security and technical point of view the most important aspects are: (1) The detection rate and (2) The width of coverage (how much attack surface is protected).
For the first one, it is unfortunately very difficult to assess the detection rate of a solution unless you are an expert with a large dataset of threats (known and unknown) at your disposal to benchmark the solution against. In any case, you should make sure the solution is capable of detecting unknown and novel threats - this is, the solution must go beyond heuristics and possess a profound understanding of cyber threats.
Second, the width of coverage means that the solution covers a large number of threat verticals but more importantly is deployed at anywhere where a threat may appear. In several cases, customers do not cover all the areas of their network.
So.. the technical aspects of your ID should be based on your environment.
So not trying to oversimplify or downplay the need for the IDS to meet your technical thresholds, but those get discussed a lot. Operational impacts/criteria are often overlooked, in my opinion. I think the key factors are usability (how easy it is to train my folks to use it? how easy is it to integrate it into my operational processes, etc.) and interoperability with my current security ecosystem.
If I have to do a lot of tweaking to get it to work or I need a workaround to get feed accuracy then I'm probably not inclined to pursue a product.
Tuning is one thing. I expect that, but I don't expect the coding equivalent to duct tape and bubblegum to get it to talk and interact with my SIEM, SOAR, etc.
- Capabilities, if we don't understand what these are it is unlikely we will have a success story.
- The expertise to operate
- Product documentation
- Training provided by a supplier
- Best practices
- Successful use case scenario (ideally from the same industry),
- Pricing (matters for local gov), etc.
Education, documentation, use cases and best practices.
Documentation. Algorithmic transparency. Ability to get someone smart on the phone FAST at the vendor, without going through gatekeepers. Confidence levels (statistical validity).