Western Governors University (WGU) ITIM5530 C954 Information Technology Management Practice Exam

The correct choice is an intrusion detection system (IDS), which plays a crucial role in network security by monitoring and analyzing network traffic. An IDS inspects incoming and outgoing packets for signs of malicious activity or policy violations, often looking for patterns that indicate potential threats. This system can generate alerts when anomalies are detected, enabling network administrators to take appropriate action against potential intrusions.

Unlike a firewall, which primarily focuses on blocking or allowing traffic based on predetermined security rules, the intrusion detection system evaluates packets in real time to identify unusual behavior. This behavior can be indicative of various attack vectors, such as unauthorized access attempts or the presence of malware in the network traffic.

Anti-virus software specifically targets malware on endpoints, scanning files and applications rather than monitoring network traffic itself. Proxy servers serve different functions, often acting as intermediaries for requests from clients seeking resources from other servers but do not inherently analyze packets for security threats.

By focusing on the behavior of network traffic, intrusion detection systems are essential for establishing a robust defense mechanism, identifying vulnerabilities, and ensuring the overall security posture of the network.