Palo Alto Networks (PANW) Certified Cybersecurity Entry-level Technician (PCCET) Practice Exam

Which type of security technology is used to monitor for suspicious activities in real-time?

1. Application firewall

2. Intrusion prevention system

3. Intrusion detection system

4. Virtual private network

The correct answer is: Intrusion detection system

An Intrusion Detection System (IDS) is designed specifically to monitor network traffic and system activities for suspicious activity and potential threats in real-time. It analyzes incoming and outgoing traffic to identify patterns or anomalies that may indicate a security breach or an attack. By continuously scanning and analyzing this data, an IDS can provide alerts or notifications to system administrators when it detects unusual behavior that could suggest malicious intent. This capability to monitor in real-time is crucial for organizations that need to quickly respond to potential security incidents. An IDS might not always take direct action to prevent these threats, but it plays an essential role in alerting security teams so they can investigate and respond accordingly. Other options like application firewalls and intrusion prevention systems serve different purposes; application firewalls are focused on securing applications specifically, while intrusion prevention systems do not just detect but also take action to block or prevent the threats. A virtual private network (VPN) is used for secure connections over the internet, rather than monitoring for suspicious activities. Thus, the specific focus of an Intrusion Detection System on real-time monitoring makes it the correct answer.