If you're thinking about adding intrusion detection products into your network environment, you’re making a good business decision. Intrusion detection products offer more than anti-virus, firewall or anti-spyware programs. Instead, intrusion detection products offer complete solutions. They do contain components such as anti-virus and anti-spyware. However, intrusion detection products are designed to be proactive in blocking attacks from hitting your network.

You can purchase software or hardware when it comes to intrusion detection products. To get the best protection, you should buy and use both in your network. Consider the following when it comes to intrusion detection products:

1. Deploy intrusion detection protection software in your network environment.

2. Set up intrusion detection hardware in your network.

3. Employ a network intrusion detection management company that uses sophisticated intrusion detection equipment.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Install intrusion detection protection software in your network environment

The first product you'll want to obtain is intrusion detection protection software. Installing and using an anti-virus application is not enough. You need a software application that is intelligent. This means that the software becomes offensive by identifying and thwarting known attacks. Intrusion detection protection software provides layered protection, such as stateful firewall and signature-based intrusion prevention (IPS).

I recommend: McAfee makes reliable and sophisticated intrusion detection products. Many corporations and government agencies use McAfee’s intrusion detection products. Symantec also is one of the top suppliers of intrusion detection security products.

Hire an intrusion detection management company with advanced intrusion detection equipment

If you don't want to invest in the best intrusion detection protection software or intrusion detection and monitoring products, then consider hiring a network intrusion detection management company. The staff at these companies can monitor your network for any attacks. These companies have made a significant investment in intrusion detection equipment, and a great advantage is their 24/7 service.

I recommend: Perimeter eSecurity provides intrusion detection services. Founded in 1997, Perimeter has been offering reliable intrusion detection solutions for businesses. Unisys provides 24/7 remote monitoring and management. Another service Unisys offers is an incorporated view of all your network devices.

Install an intrusion detection hardware appliance in your network

As added security, you need to invest in intrusion detection system hardware. Such intrusion detection security product can prevent attacks at throughput of up to 10 Gbps. This is significant because this intrusion detection system hardware can tackle bandwidth requirements at the core. Using this hardware enables you to manage multiple networks. The result is that you are better able to manage threats.

I recommend: Sourcefire makes advanced intrusion detection hardware appliances. Whether you run copper or fiber networks, Sourcefire makes an intrusion detection security product that works with both. SecurityMetrics also makes intrusion detection security products designed to prevent external attacks, such as worms, malicious hackers, or Denial of Service.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Make sure your intrusion detection protection software has the most current patches and updates. If the software does not have automatic updates, this is a detail which can fall through the cracks in a busy office. However, such updates are essential in blocking your network from attacks.