What are two drawbacks to using HIPS? (Choose two.)

Two drawbacks of using HIPS are high resource consumption, which can slow down systems, and the complexity of configuration, making it harder for beginners. For accurate answers and trusted exam preparation, visit Study4Pass your reliable source for IT certification study materials!

Tech Professionals

09 April 2025

Cisco

What are two drawbacks to using HIPS? (Choose two.)

Introduction

As organizations worldwide continue to bolster their cybersecurity defences, the role of Host-based Intrusion Prevention Systems (HIPS) remains pivotal. The Cisco CCNA Security exam (Exam Code: 210-260) places significant emphasis on understanding security architectures, including intrusion prevention systems like HIPS. While HIPS is an essential component in a multi-layered security strategy, it is important to recognize that it comes with its own set of challenges. In this article, we will explore two notable drawbacks to using HIPS, ensuring that CCNA Security aspirants gain a well-rounded understanding of this technology. Furthermore, we will discuss how leveraging Study4Pass can significantly enhance your preparation journey for the 210-260 exam.

Understanding HIPS: A Brief Overview

Before diving into the drawbacks, let's first clarify what HIPS is and its primary function. Host-based Intrusion Prevention Systems are designed to monitor and analyse the activities within a single host, detecting suspicious behaviour and preventing malicious attacks. HIPS provide protection against both known and unknown threats, using techniques such as signature-based detection, behavioural monitoring, and heuristics.

HIPS operate at the endpoint level, meaning it protects individual devices rather than monitoring network traffic as a whole. While this localized defence mechanism is highly effective in many scenarios, it does not come without its limitations.

Drawback 1: Resource Intensiveness and Performance Impact

One of the major drawbacks of deploying HIPS is its significant consumption of system resources. Since HIPS constantly monitors all activities on a host machine, including file access, system calls, and process behaviours, it requires substantial CPU and memory utilization.

For CCNA Security candidates, understanding this drawback is crucial because system performance directly affects user experience and operational efficiency. Let’s explore this issue in depth:

High CPU Usage: HIPS need to analyse vast amounts of data in real-time. From monitoring application behaviours to scrutinizing system files, the continuous scanning process can tax the CPU heavily, especially on older or less powerful machines.
Memory Consumption: Alongside CPU usage, HIPS consume a significant portion of system memory. Real-time protection and behavioural analysis engines maintain extensive rule sets and databases in RAM, which can slow down other processes.
Impact on Critical Applications: When HIPS consume excessive resources, it can lead to latency in critical business applications, potentially disrupting operations. For instance, database servers or customer service applications might experience delays, affecting overall productivity.
User Frustration: End-users may notice system sluggishness, longer boot times, and reduced responsiveness, leading to frustration and potential resistance to security measures.

Study Tip: When preparing for the CCNA Security 210-260 exam, remember to associate HIPS with high resource consumption and understand how this can influence both system performance and user experience. Study4Pass offers scenario-based practice questions that can help you internalize these real-world impacts effectively.

Drawback 2: Limited Network Visibility

Another significant drawback of HIPS is its limited scope of visibility. Unlike network-based intrusion prevention systems (NIPS), which monitor the entire network's traffic, HIPS only protect the individual host it is installed on. This isolated approach can leave security gaps.

Let’s break this down:

Lack of Network-wide Coverage: HIPS cannot monitor or prevent attacks that target the network infrastructure as a whole. If an attacker exploits vulnerability at the network level, HIPS may not detect it unless it impacts the local host.
Blind Spots: Advanced persistent threats (APTs) and coordinated attacks often traverse multiple hosts. HIPS, with its host-centric design, might not identify lateral movement between devices until it reaches the protected host, by which point significant damage could have occurred.
Dependency on Deployment Scope: To provide adequate coverage, HIPS must be installed on every endpoint within an organization. Missing even a few critical devices can create blind spots that attackers may exploit.
Fragmented Security View: Security teams relying solely on HIPS receive fragmented alerts tied to individual hosts rather than a consolidated network-wide perspective. This fragmentation complicates incident response and forensic investigations.

Study Tip: For the CCNA Security 210-260 exam, emphasize the difference between host-based and network-based solutions. Understand HIPS' limited visibility and be prepared to compare it with comprehensive network-level protections. Study4Pass provides detailed explanations and visual diagrams to help reinforce this concept.

Balancing HIPS Drawbacks with Strategic Security Planning

While these drawbacks are notable, it is important to acknowledge that HIPS remain a valuable security tool when used appropriately. The key lies in understanding its limitations and integrating it within a broader security strategy that includes complementary solutions like NIPS, endpoint detection and response (EDR), and security information and event management (SIEM) systems.

A well-rounded security architecture leverages the strengths of HIPS such as its ability to block threats at the endpoint—while compensating for its weaknesses through network-wide monitoring and centralized threat intelligence.

How Study4Pass Can Help You Master CCNA Security (Exam Code: 210-260)?

When preparing for the CCNA Security certification, having access to reliable, up-to-date study resources can make all the difference. Study4Pass is an invaluable companion on your certification journey, and here’s why:

Comprehensive Coverage: Study4Pass offers detailed study guides that cover every objective of the 210-260 exam, including HIPS, NIPS, VPNs, firewall architectures, and more.
Practice Questions and Mock Exams: Their extensive library of practice questions mirrors the real exam format, helping you familiarize yourself with the types of questions you’ll encounter. This includes scenario-based questions that test your understanding of HIPS drawbacks.
Up-to-Date Materials: Cybersecurity is a rapidly evolving field. Study4Pass ensures that their materials reflect the latest industry trends and exam updates.
Detailed Explanations: Each question comes with comprehensive explanations, helping you understand not just the correct answer but also why the other options are incorrect.
Flexible Learning: Study4Pass provides flexible learning options, including downloadable PDFs and online access, allowing you to study anytime, anywhere.

By integrating Study4Pass into your study routine, you can confidently approach the CCNA Security exam knowing you have a solid grasp of key concepts, including the nuanced challenges associated with HIPS.

Final Veridcts

Understanding the limitations of HIPS is essential for anyone pursuing the CCNA Security certification. The two primary drawbacks resource intensiveness and limited network visibility highlight the importance of strategic deployment and integration with broader security measures. While HIPS play a critical role in defending individual hosts, it should not be the sole line of defense.

For CCNA Security candidates, mastering these concepts not only prepares you for the exam but also equips you with practical knowledge applicable in real-world cybersecurity roles. By leveraging trusted resources like Study4Pass, you can deepen your understanding, practice effectively, and approach the 210-260 exam with confidence.

Remember, cybersecurity is a constantly evolving landscape. Stay curious, keep learning, and use comprehensive study tools like Study4Pass to stay ahead of the curve. Good luck on your certification journey!