Key features in IDPS solutions encompass real-time threat detection, automatic threat response, scalability, customizability, integration capabilities, user-friendly dashboards, and detailed reporting.
Real-time threat detection
Automatic threat response
Scalability
Customizability
Integration capabilities
User-friendly dashboards
Detailed reporting
Real-time threat detection is crucial as it allows immediate identification of potential breaches, helping to prevent further intrusions. The ability to automatically respond to threats minimizes the impact of security incidents, providing a layer of defense without manual intervention. Scalability ensures the software can grow with the business, accommodating more devices and processing greater data volumes as needed.
Customizability allows the IDPS to be adapted to specific security requirements, giving flexibility in deployment. Integration with existing systems is vital for streamlined operations and efficient communication between different security tools. User-friendly dashboards enable quick access to critical information, simplifying the monitoring process. Detailed reporting provides insights into security incidents, helping in continuous improvement of security measures.
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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 Fortinet, Darktrace, Check Point Software Technologies and others in Intrusion Detection and Prevention Software (IDPS). Updated: August 2025.
IDPS solutions are essential for monitoring and mitigating security threats within networks, offering a proactive approach to cybersecurity threats and ensuring network integrity.
IDPS differentiate between legitimate traffic and potential threats, providing real-time analysis and action. They combine the capabilities of intrusion detection and prevention to identify suspicious activities and block potential attacks, enhancing network security and compliance.
What are the...
Key features in IDPS solutions encompass real-time threat detection, automatic threat response, scalability, customizability, integration capabilities, user-friendly dashboards, and detailed reporting.
Real-time threat detection is crucial as it allows immediate identification of potential breaches, helping to prevent further intrusions. The ability to automatically respond to threats minimizes the impact of security incidents, providing a layer of defense without manual intervention. Scalability ensures the software can grow with the business, accommodating more devices and processing greater data volumes as needed.
Customizability allows the IDPS to be adapted to specific security requirements, giving flexibility in deployment. Integration with existing systems is vital for streamlined operations and efficient communication between different security tools. User-friendly dashboards enable quick access to critical information, simplifying the monitoring process. Detailed reporting provides insights into security incidents, helping in continuous improvement of security measures.
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).