Network-based Intrusion Prevention Services (aka NIPS) is a preemptive approach to network security used to identify potential threats and respond to them swiftly. Like network intrusion detection systems (NIDS), Network-based Intrusion Prevention System (NIPS) monitors network traffic and actively resets connections found to exhibit malicious behaviours before they cause their damage.
Related Terms: Network-based Intrusion Detection Services, Intrusion, Intrusion Detection
Source: CNSSI 4009, ISO/IEC 27039
What does this mean for an SMB?
Network Intrusion Prevention Services (“NIPS”) are an advanced and expensive proposition for it to work properly and effectively within a company’s environment. It is often used in Data Centers with Cloud Hosting providers to provide a higher level of cybersecurity assurance on their critical networks. However, in the SMB arena, it is often too expensive to be practical. Additionally, it provides security services that would only be appropriate if all your Level 1, 2, and 3 cybersecurity maturity services, processes, and policies were in place. Most SMB’s are not operating with this level of maturity. Therefore, I seldom recommend NIPS or its less expensive relative NIDS (Network Intrusion Detection Services) in the SMB network space.
Exceptions to this general guidance do apply, especially within regulated industries in high finance, defense contractors seeking high level certifications for example.