ISC2 CC Network Security Practice Question
What is the primary difference between an IDS and an IPS?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
IDS only alerts, IPS can block traffic
IDS is passive (alerts), IPS is inline (can block).
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
IDS is faster than IPS
Why it's wrong here
IPS may introduce latency but not a primary difference.
- ✗
IDS is hardware, IPS is software
Why it's wrong here
Both can be hardware or software.
- ✗
IDS monitors only hosts, IPS monitors network
Why it's wrong here
IDS can be NIDS or HIDS; IPS is typically network-based.
- ✓
IDS only alerts, IPS can block traffic
Why this is correct
IPS is inline and can take action.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
BC/DR Planning and Testing
Key term
IPS
An Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) is a network security device that monitors traffic in real time and automatically blocks threats before they reach your systems.
Key term
IDS
An IDS is a security system that monitors network or system traffic for suspicious activity and alerts administrators to potential threats, but does not actively block them.
About these practice questions
Courseiva writes every CC question from scratch — 976 in total, each with an explanation and a wrong-answer breakdown. None are copied from real exams or dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This CC practice question is part of Courseiva's free ISC2 certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the CC exam.