What is the primary function of an Intrusion Detection System (IDS)?

The primary function of an Intrusion Detection System (IDS) is to monitor network traffic for suspicious activity. An IDS analyzes data packets that traverse the network and looks for patterns or signatures that indicate possible security threats or intrusions. This could include any unauthorized access attempts, malware infections, or abnormal behaviors that might indicate a compromised system.

By actively monitoring and analyzing the data in real-time, an IDS helps administrators detect incidents as they occur, enabling a swift response to potential security breaches. This function is crucial in maintaining the security and integrity of a network, as it allows organizations to be proactive instead of reactive with their security measures.

The other options refer to different functions that are not the focus of an IDS. Encrypting sensitive data is related to data protection and privacy rather than intrusion detection. Preventing all network access is a security measure that would typically be associated with a firewall rather than an IDS, as firewalls control incoming and outgoing traffic based on defined security rules. Managing firewall settings is another network security function that is separate from the purpose of an IDS, which does not involve configuring or enforcing network access policies.