# Definition of intrusion detection

**URL:** <https://community.zeek.org/t/definition-of-intrusion-detection/266>\
**Category:** Zeek\
**Created:** [July 25, 2002, 8:05am UTC](https://community.zeek.org/t/definition-of-intrusion-detection/266 "2002-07-25T08:05:25Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Vern](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/user_avatar/community.zeek.org/vern/32/630_2.png) [@Vern](https://community.zeek.org/u/Vern)\
**Post date:** [July 25, 2002, 8:05am UTC](https://community.zeek.org/t/definition-of-intrusion-detection/266/1 "2002-07-25T08:05:25Z")

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> Since bro is one of the intrusion detection systems, I decided to  
> ask that is there a commonly accepted definition of what an  
> intrusion detection system is?

I view intrusion detection as monitoring activity to detect violations  
of \*policy\*, so this probably fits with:

> Moving away from a simple backdoor detection for example, I think  
> intrusion detection becomes more of a political activity.

But more generally, there's a whole spectrum, from detecting attempts to  
exploit programming flaws in services, to attempts to exploit application  
flaws, to misuse/inappropriate use, to denial of service; to monitoring  
activity (network traffic, for a NIDS) simply to understand how resources  
are being used. Bro is meant to be capable of covering this whole range,  
though it's better at some than others.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Vern

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**Author:** ![system](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/uploads/zeek/original/1X/f09d732bc2cc7c7cc7e35db67cf4e1d5233ce7a7.png) [@system](https://community.zeek.org/u/system)\
**Post date:** [May 6, 2022, 3:36pm UTC](https://community.zeek.org/t/definition-of-intrusion-detection/266/2 "2022-05-06T15:36:32Z")

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Closed on May 6, 2022, 3:36pm UTC