What an IDS does
Intrusion Detection Systems analyse network traffic, looking for patterns that match known attack signatures or deviate significantly from established baselines. Signature-based detection identifies known threats, while anomaly-based detection flags unusual behaviour. Network-based IDS, like Snort and Suricata, monitor traffic across the network, whereas host-based IDS reside on individual systems. Historically, IDS provided a crucial layer of security, offering visibility into potential attacks before more advanced solutions were widely adopted.
IDS in Australian tenants today
In the AU mid-market, the role of traditional IDS has largely been superseded by Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR), Network Detection and Response (NDR), and Extended Detection and Response (XDR) platforms, which offer more comprehensive threat prevention and response capabilities. For organisations leveraging Microsoft Azure, Defender for Cloud provides native IDS functionality, replacing the need for separate, third-party IDS deployments. Compliance frameworks like APRA CPS 234 emphasise continuous threat monitoring, and while an IDS isn’t a direct requirement, the visibility it provides aligns with those objectives.