What type of attacks does an IDS typically monitor?

An Intrusion Detection System (IDS) is designed primarily to monitor for unauthorized access attempts and other malicious activities within a network. It analyzes network traffic and system logs to detect suspicious behavior that could indicate a security breach or an attack. By focusing on events like intrusion attempts, the IDS provides alerts that help network administrators respond swiftly to potential threats, thereby enhancing the security posture of the organization.

Monitoring for unauthorized access attempts is crucial because it helps in identifying intruders trying to exploit system vulnerabilities. This proactive approach allows organizations to mitigate risks before they lead to significant damage, making it a key function of an IDS.

While it is true that an IDS can analyze a variety of network behaviors, it is specifically focused on security events rather than general system performance or processes unrelated to security, such as data encryption activities. Thus, the primary focus of an IDS is indeed on detecting unauthorized access attempts, which aligns with the correct answer.