This question aligns with CHFI v11 objectives underNetwork and Web Attacks, specifically the role and functionality ofIntrusion Detection Systems (IDS)in network security monitoring and incident response. CHFI v11 emphasizes that IDS solutions such as Snort, Juniper IDS, and Check Point are designed not only to monitor and analyze network traffic but also toactively alert security personnel when suspicious or malicious activity is detected.

An IDS continuously inspects packets, sessions, and events against predefined signatures, behavioral models, or anomaly thresholds. When a potential intrusion, policy violation, or attack pattern is identified, the system’s primary operational response is to generatereal-time alerts. These alerts are delivered through multiple channels—such as email notifications, pager alerts, dashboards, syslog messages, andSNMP traps—to ensure timely awareness and rapid response by security administrators.

While IDS platforms may support reporting, log forwarding, or signature updates, these are secondary or supporting capabilities. The critical value of IDS in a forensic and operational context lies in its ability to promptly notify defenders of threats as they occur or are detected. Therefore, consistent with CHFI v11 IDS principles, the correct answer isvigilantly alerting security administrators via multiple notification channels.