What is the function of an Intrusion Detection and Prevention System (IDS/IPS)?

An Intrusion Detection and Prevention System (IDS/IPS) is primarily designed to monitor network traffic for any suspicious patterns or anomalies that may indicate a security threat. By inspecting the packets traveling through a network, the system can identify potential risks, such as unauthorized access attempts, malware, or other forms of malicious activity.

When the IDS detects suspicious traffic, it generates alerts to notify administrators of potential threats. In the case of an IPS, the system goes a step further by actively preventing detected threats by blocking or dropping malicious traffic. This proactive approach helps organizations safeguard their networks against intrusions and other security incidents, thereby playing a crucial role in overall cybersecurity measures.

The other options do not align with the primary purpose of IDS/IPS systems, as they focus on different aspects of network and data management. For example, storing backups of data is related to data protection and recovery strategies, while providing virtual private networks pertains to creating secure connections over the internet. Encrypting data transmissions is crucial for protecting data in transit but does not involve monitoring for intrusions or threats.