The network intrusion detection and prevention system (IDPS) appliance market is composed of stand-alone physical and virtual appliances that inspect defined network traffic either on-premises or in the cloud. They are often located in the network to inspect traffic that has passed through perimeter security devices, such as firewalls, secure Web gateways and secure email gateways. IDPS devices are deployed in-line and perform full-stream reassembly of network traffic. They provide detection via several methods — for example, signatures, protocol anomaly detection, behavioral monitoring or heuristics, advanced threat defense (ATD) integration, and threat intelligence (TI). When deployed in-line, IDPSs can also use various techniques to detect and block attacks that are identified with high confidence; this is one of the primary benefits of this technology. Next-generation IDPSs have evolved in response to advanced targeted threats that can evade first-generation IDPSs. (Retired as of Mar-12-2026).
Gartner defines network detection and response (NDR) as products that detect abnormal network behaviors by applying behavioral analytics to network traffic data. NDR products continuously analyze raw network packets or traffic metadata within internal networks (east-west) and between internal and external networks (north-south). They include automated responses, such as host containment or traffic blocking, implemented directly or through integration with other cybersecurity products. Vendors deliver NDR as hardware or software appliances for sensors, with some supporting IaaS environments. Management and orchestration consoles are available as software or SaaS. Organizations rely on NDR to detect and contain postbreach activities such as ransomware, insider threats and lateral movements. NDR complements other technologies that primarily trigger alerts based on rules and signatures by building heuristic models of normal network behavior and detecting anomalies. Security teams commonly use NDR as a complementary detection and response technology within a broader set of security operations center (SOC) tools. These include security orchestration, automation and response (SOAR), security information and event management (SIEM), endpoint detection and response (EDR), and other detection technologies. These include security orchestration, automation and response (SOAR), security information and event management (SIEM), endpoint detection and response (EDR), and other detection technologies.