What is the primary role of an IDS?

The primary role of an Intrusion Detection System (IDS) is to detect potential exploits and vulnerabilities within a network. IDS is designed to monitor network traffic and analyze it for suspicious activity or policy violations. By identifying unusual patterns and potential threats, an IDS can alert system administrators to take action, thereby enhancing the security posture of the network.

Unlike options that suggest blocking traffic or replacing firewalls, an IDS functions primarily as a surveillance tool rather than a preventative device. It does not actively intervene in network traffic. This function is crucial because many attacks can occur without immediate detection, and thorough monitoring helps in identifying these intrusions promptly. Encryption of outbound data, while important for protecting information, is not a role of an IDS, making it clear that its purpose is focused on detection rather than data protection mechanisms.