IPS (Intrusion Prevention System) is a network security device that actively monitors, detects, and blocks suspicious activity or attacks in real-time. Unlike an IDS (Intrusion Detection System), which only alerts about potential threats, an IPS can automatically take actions to stop malicious traffic, such as blocking IP addresses or terminating network connections.
An IPS is typically placed behind a firewall and analyzes incoming and outgoing network traffic, comparing it against a database of known attack signatures. When suspicious activity is detected, the IPS immediately responds according to predefined security rules. This provides proactive network protection, preventing potential damage from attacks before they can harm systems.
Example: A company deploys an IPS to protect its corporate network. When a hacker attempts to exploit a known vulnerability in a web server, the IPS detects this attempt, blocks the attacking IP address, and alerts the security team, preventing a potential data breach.
