What type of threat does an IDS primarily focus on?

An Intrusion Detection System (IDS) is designed specifically to monitor network traffic for signs of suspicious activity, which can indicate potential threats or attacks on the network. The primary focus of an IDS is to analyze incoming data packets and examine various patterns or behaviors that may denote unauthorized access attempts, unusual traffic spikes, or other indicators of compromise.

By detecting these anomalies, an IDS can alert network administrators to the potential security incidents that require investigation or immediate action. This capability is crucial in maintaining the integrity and safety of a network, as it allows for rapid response to malicious activities.

The other options address areas related to cybersecurity but do not align with the core function of an IDS: physical hardware failures pertain to infrastructure reliability; data loss scenarios involve loss prevention strategies and recovery processes; while regulatory compliance issues relate to adhering to legal and regulatory standards concerning data protection. None of these is the primary concern of an IDS, underscoring why suspicious network activity is the correct focus for this security tool.