Network Security

Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDPS)

An intrusion detection and prevention system (IDPS) watches the traffic on your network, flags activity that looks like an attack and blocks the clear-cut cases automatically. We set up, tune and watch IDPS for Orange County offices, with alerts going to our own Cybersecurity team around the clock instead of an inbox nobody reads.

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A security guard for your network

A firewall decides what's allowed in. Intrusion detection and prevention watches the traffic itself and steps in when something looks wrong, like a computer suddenly talking to a known bad address or someone probing your network for weaknesses.

What it does

Spots suspicious traffic

Known attack patterns and unusual behavior are flagged as they happen.

Blocks the obvious

Clear-cut attacks are stopped automatically, before they reach your computers.

Alerts that get read

Warnings from your network, computers and sign-ins are collected in one place and matched up, so a pattern stands out. Our own Cybersecurity team watches them around the clock and acts on what they find.

Fits how you work

We adjust it so it catches real problems without blocking everyday work.

The four types of IDPS

NIST's guide to intrusion detection and prevention, Special Publication 800-94, sorts IDPS into four types by where they watch. For a small office that needs one, the first and the last usually matter most, and we'll tell you if the other two would add anything for yours.

NIST SP 800-94, the IDPS guide

Network-based

Sits at or near the firewall and inspects the traffic moving in and out of the office.

Wireless

Watches your Wi-Fi for rogue access points and attacks aimed at the wireless network itself.

Network behavior analysis

Learns what normal traffic looks like and flags unusual flows, like one computer suddenly sending large amounts of data out.

Host-based

Runs on a single computer or server and watches what happens on that machine. The threat detection we run on every computer covers this ground.

How an IDPS spots an attack

Most systems combine two or more of these methods, because each one catches what the others miss.

Signature-based

Matches activity against known attack patterns. Quick and accurate for threats that have been seen before, and blind to brand-new ones.

Anomaly-based

Compares activity with what's normal for your network, so it can catch something new. It raises more false alarms until it's tuned, which is part of our job.

Stateful protocol analysis

Checks that traffic follows the rules of the protocol it claims to use, which catches attacks hiding inside connections that look ordinary.

When it catches something

We contain it first, to limit any further spread to other computers. Then we clean up, close the gap that let it in, and explain plainly what happened. A lot of new clients first reach us in the middle of exactly this kind of problem, usually after a phishing email, and the steps are the same every time.

Frequently asked questions

What is an IDPS?

IDPS stands for intrusion detection and prevention system. It watches network or computer activity for signs of an attack, records what it sees, alerts someone and can block the attack automatically. Detection raises the alarm; prevention also stops the traffic.

What is a network-based IDPS?

One that sits on your network, usually at or near the firewall, and inspects traffic moving in and out of the office. A host-based IDPS runs on a single computer or server instead. For a small office, network-based protection plus threat detection on each computer covers most of what matters.

What is NIPS in cyber security?

A network intrusion prevention system: the prevention half of a network-based IDPS, which blocks malicious traffic instead of only reporting it.

Does a small office need an IDPS?

Not every office does. For many, a well-managed firewall, protected devices and good email filtering cover most of the risk. We'll tell you whether it's worth it in your case.

Is IDPS software enough on its own?

No. No single tool stops every attack. An IDPS is one layer alongside updates, secure sign-ins, email filtering, backups and staff who know what a scam looks like.

Who responds when it finds something?

We do. Our team reviews alerts, investigates anything real, and tells you plainly what happened.

What happens after we get in touch?

We start with a free IT check-in, a call to learn how your network is set up and what already protects it. If we suggest anything after that, we'll explain what it would add.

Start with a free IT check-in

Tell us about your office and what you'd like sorted out. If we're not the right fit, we'll say so.

Book a check-in (714) 450-9330