What role does an intrusion detection system (IDS) serve in a network?

An intrusion detection system (IDS) plays a critical role in the security of a network by monitoring network traffic for any suspicious activity and potential threats. This system analyzes the traffic passing through the network to identify patterns that may indicate malicious behavior, such as unauthorized access attempts, exploitation of vulnerabilities, or other kinds of attacks.

By deploying an IDS, organizations can effectively detect incidents in real time, which allows for swift response actions to mitigate potential damages. The capability of the IDS to flag unusual or potentially harmful activities enables network administrators to investigate these alerts further and take preventative measures, ensuring the integrity and safety of the network environment.

In contrast, other options refer to functionalities that do not align with the primary purpose of an IDS. Enhancing network speed and performance, managing IP address assignments, and encrypting sensitive data pertain to different aspects of network management and security but do not involve the direct monitoring and detection of intrusions.