What is the function of IDS logs?

IDS (Intrusion Detection System) logs serve several critical functions in cybersecurity. They record detected suspicious activities, potential threats, or policy violations within a network or system. These logs help security teams analyze attack patterns, identify vulnerabilities, and respond to incidents effectively.

Key functions of IDS logs include:

1. Threat Detection: Logs capture anomalies like port scans, malware attempts, or unauthorized access attempts.
2. Incident Investigation: Security teams use logs to trace the timeline and scope of an attack.
3. Compliance Auditing: Logs provide evidence for regulatory compliance (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA).
4. Forensics Analysis: Detailed logs aid in reconstructing attack sequences for post-incident reviews.

Example: If an IDS detects repeated failed login attempts from a specific IP, the log will record the timestamp, source IP, target system, and alert type. This helps identify brute-force attacks.

For scalable log storage and analysis, Tencent Cloud offers Cloud Log Service (CLS), which centralizes IDS logs for real-time monitoring, search, and visualization. It integrates with Tencent Cloud’s security solutions to streamline threat response.