Cisco Cyber Security Practice Exam

What system monitors network traffic and analyzes packets for malicious activities?

1. IPS

2. Firewall

3. VPN

4. Switch

The correct answer is: IPS

The system that monitors network traffic and analyzes packets for malicious activities is an Intrusion Prevention System (IPS). An IPS actively inspects incoming and outgoing traffic and can identify patterns that suggest malicious intent, such as attempts at unauthorized access or the presence of known attack signatures. It not only detects potential threats but also takes action to block or prevent those threats in real time, enhancing network security. In contrast, a firewall primarily acts as a barrier that controls what traffic is allowed to enter or leave a network based on predefined security rules. While it can block certain types of traffic, it does not provide the same level of traffic analysis for the purpose of identifying malicious behavior. A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is primarily designed for creating secure connections over the internet by encrypting data transmissions, focusing on confidentiality and privacy rather than actively monitoring for intrusions. A switch operates at the data link layer to connect devices within a local network, managing data packet forwarding efficiently but is not designed for monitoring or analyzing packets for security threats. Thus, an IPS is specifically tailored for the task of analyzing network traffic for malicious activities, which makes it the correct choice.