Which type of detection does an Intrusion Detection System focus on regarding network traffic?

An Intrusion Detection System (IDS) primarily focuses on identifying suspicious activities and potential breaches within network traffic. This involves monitoring data packets traversing the network and analyzing them for indications of malicious behavior, such as unauthorized access attempts, unusual patterns, or anomalies that deviate from established security protocols. By detecting these threats in real-time, an IDS can help organizations respond promptly to potential security incidents, thereby protecting integrity, confidentiality, and availability of data.

In contrast, options related to regular traffic flow patterns, performance lags, and time delays involve aspects of network performance and efficiency rather than security threats. While these factors are important for network management, they do not fall within the scope of what an intrusion detection system is designed to monitor. The primary mission of an IDS is to ensure that any suspicious behavior is detected and addressed before it can result in significant damage or data loss.