I'm new to the list, but this flame war is a bit odd. This is an IDS list, yet the usefulness of IDS is being dismissed?
This debate could generate some interesting data. In snort, for example, there are around 5,759 rules (3/31/2006, non-subscription rule base). I don't have the metrics on hand of how many rules commercial IPS's deploy on by default (and how many total can be turned on), but I'd guess it is around 500. I'd be interested to know those numbers, if someone has them. A vendor comparison of rules could also be interesting. What I draw from this ratio is that some 90% of attacks can get through an IPS solution. That doesn't invalidate the IPS anymore than the IPS invalidates a firewall, but it does indicate to me that IDS plays an essential role. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Brian Basgen IT Security Architect Pima Community College
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