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SSCP System Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP) Questions 438–442 (page: 89)

Updated On: 10-Feb-2026

What would be considered the biggest drawback of Host-based Intrusion Detection systems (HIDS)?

  1. It can be very invasive to the host operating system
  2. Monitors all processes and activities on the host system only
  3. Virtually eliminates limits associated with encryption
  4. They have an increased level of visibility and control compared to NIDS

Answer(s): A

Explanation:

The biggest drawback of HIDS, and the reason many organizations resist its use, is that it can be very invasive to the host operating system. HIDS must have the capability to monitor all processes and activities on the host system and this can sometimes interfere with normal system processing.
HIDS versus NIDS
A host-based IDS (HIDS) can be installed on individual workstations and/ or servers to watch for inappropriate or anomalous activity. HIDSs are usually used to make sure users do not delete system files, reconfigure important settings, or put the system at risk in any other way.
So, whereas the NIDS understands and monitors the network traffic, a HIDS's universe is limited to the computer itself. A HIDS does not understand or review network traffic, and a NIDS does not "look in" and monitor a system's activity. Each has its own job and stays out of the other's way.
The ISC2 official study book defines an IDS as:
An intrusion detection system (IDS) is a technology that alerts organizations to adverse or unwanted activity. An IDS can be implemented as part of a network device, such as a router, switch, or firewall, or it can be a dedicated IDS device monitoring traffic as it traverses the network. When used in this way, it is referred to as a network IDS, or NIDS. IDS can also be used on individual host systems to monitor and report on file, disk, and process activity on that host. When used in this way it is referred to as a host-based IDS, or HIDS.
An IDS is informative by nature and provides real-time information when suspicious activities are identified. It is primarily a detective device and, acting in this traditional role, is not used to directly prevent the suspected attack.
What about IPS?
In contrast, an intrusion prevention system (IPS), is a technology that monitors activity like an IDS but will automatically take proactive preventative action if it detects unacceptable activity. An IPS permits a predetermined set of functions and actions to occur on a network or system; anything that is not permitted is considered unwanted activity and blocked. IPS is engineered specifically to respond in real time to an event at the system or network layer. By proactively enforcing policy, IPS can thwart not only attackers, but also authorized users attempting to perform an action that is not within policy. Fundamentally, IPS is considered an access control and policy enforcement technology, whereas IDS is considered network monitoring and audit technology.
The following answers were incorrect:
All of the other answer were advantages and not drawback of using HIDS
TIP FOR THE EXAM:
Be familiar with the differences that exists between an HIDS, NIDS, and IPS. Know that IDS's are mostly detective but IPS are preventive. IPS's are considered an access control and policy enforcement technology, whereas IDS's are considered network monitoring and audit technology.


Reference:

Harris, Shon (2012-10-25). CISSP All-in-One Exam Guide, 6th Edition (Kindle Locations 5817- 5822). McGraw-Hill. Kindle Edition.
and
Schneiter, Andrew (2013-04-15). Official (ISC)2 Guide to the CISSP CBK, Third Edition : Access Control ((ISC)2 Press), Domain1, Page 180-188 or on the kindle version look for Kindle Locations 3199-3203. Auerbach Publications.



Attributes that characterize an attack are stored for reference using which of the following Intrusion Detection System (IDS) ?

  1. signature-based IDS
  2. statistical anomaly-based IDS
  3. event-based IDS
  4. inferent-based IDS

Answer(s): A


Reference:

KRUTZ, Ronald L. & VINES, Russel D., The CISSP Prep Guide: Mastering the Ten Domains of Computer Security, 2001, John Wiley & Sons, Page 49.



Which of the following is an issue with signature-based intrusion detection systems?

  1. Only previously identified attack signatures are detected.
  2. Signature databases must be augmented with inferential elements.
  3. It runs only on the windows operating system
  4. Hackers can circumvent signature evaluations.

Answer(s): A

Explanation:

An issue with signature-based ID is that only attack signatures that are stored in their database are detected.
New attacks without a signature would not be reported. They do require constant updates in order to maintain their effectiveness.


Reference:

KRUTZ, Ronald L. & VINES, Russel D., The CISSP Prep Guide: Mastering the Ten Domains of Computer Security, 2001, John Wiley & Sons, Page 49.



Which of the following is an IDS that acquires data and defines a "normal" usage profile for the network or host?

  1. Statistical Anomaly-Based ID
  2. Signature-Based ID
  3. dynamical anomaly-based ID
  4. inferential anomaly-based ID

Answer(s): A

Explanation:

Statistical Anomaly-Based ID - With this method, an IDS acquires data and defines a "normal" usage profile for the network or host that is being monitored.


Reference:

KRUTZ, Ronald L. & VINES, Russel D., The CISSP Prep Guide: Mastering the Ten Domains of Computer Security, 2001, John Wiley & Sons, Page 49.



Which of the following is a disadvantage of a statistical anomaly-based intrusion detection system?

  1. it may truly detect a non-attack event that had caused a momentary anomaly in the system.
  2. it may falsely detect a non-attack event that had caused a momentary anomaly in the system.
  3. it may correctly detect a non-attack event that had caused a momentary anomaly in the system.
  4. it may loosely detect a non-attack event that had caused a momentary anomaly in the system.

Answer(s): B

Explanation:

Some disadvantages of a statistical anomaly-based ID are that it will not detect an attack that does not significantly change the system operating characteristics, or it may falsely detect a non-attack event that had caused a momentary anomaly in the system.


Reference:

KRUTZ, Ronald L. & VINES, Russel D., The CISSP Prep Guide: Mastering the Ten Domains of Computer Security, 2001, John Wiley & Sons, Page 49.



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