What is the primary function of an intrusion detection system (IDS)?

An intrusion detection system (IDS) is primarily designed to monitor network traffic for suspicious activity. This function is crucial because it enables organizations to identify potential security breaches or malicious behavior in real-time. An IDS analyzes data packets and patterns in network traffic to detect anomalies that could indicate unauthorized access attempts, malware activity, or other types of cyber threats. By alerting administrators to these potential security incidents, an IDS helps initiate a timely response, mitigating damage and preserving the integrity of the system.

Other options do not align with the primary purpose of an IDS. Creating backups of data is a function associated with data backup and recovery solutions, which focus on protecting data from loss rather than detecting intrusions. Encrypting sensitive information relates to data security practices that aim to protect information during storage and transmission but does not monitor for threats. Managing user access controls involves user authentication and authorization processes to ensure that only authorized individuals can access specific resources, but it does not actively monitor network traffic for suspicious activity. Thus, while these functions are important for overall cybersecurity, they do not reflect the central role of an IDS.