What defines an Intrusion Prevention System?

An Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) is specifically designed to identify, prevent, and respond to potential threats to a network or host system. It actively monitors network traffic for malicious activities and can take immediate action to block or prevent these threats in real time. The functionality of an IPS is built around its ability to distinguish between normal and abnormal behavior in the network traffic, enabling it to effectively interrupt unauthorized access attempts.

This role differentiates an IPS from other security tools. For instance, while a vulnerability scanner focuses on identifying weaknesses in systems that could be exploited, it does not take active defensive measures. Similarly, tools designed for user authentication establish identity access rather than prevent incursions. Data backup methods ensure data preservation but do not involve real-time threat management. Therefore, the defining characteristic of an Intrusion Prevention System is its proactive capability to block hacking attempts, making it a critical component of network security architecture.