Cisco Cyber Security Practice Exam 2025 – Your All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

The essential system for monitoring and responding to unauthorized access is the Intrusion Detection and Prevention System (IDPS). IDPS plays a critical role in cybersecurity by continuously monitoring network traffic and system activities for signs of malicious behavior or policy violations.

When unauthorized access is attempted, an IDPS can detect anomalies and suspicious patterns. It not only identifies potential threats but also takes action to prevent these intrusions from succeeding. For instance, upon detecting suspicious activity that indicates an unauthorized access attempt, the IDPS can raise alerts for security personnel and may also implement predefined responses, such as blocking the malicious IP address or severing the connection.

This proactive capability is vital for maintaining the integrity and security of the network, as timely responses to threats can mitigate damage and prevent data breaches. Other systems, while valuable in their own right—like firewalls, which control incoming and outgoing network traffic; Network Access Control (NAC), which manages device access; and content filtering, which blocks unwanted content—do not primarily focus on real-time monitoring and reaction to intrusions in the same way an IDPS does. Therefore, the IDPS is a cornerstone of a robust cybersecurity strategy, particularly for responding to unauthorized access.