How do Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS) integrate with firewalls?

Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS) play a critical role in enhancing the security capabilities of firewalls by identifying and blocking potential threats in real-time. This integration allows for a more proactive approach to network security, as the IPS not only detects known vulnerabilities and attack patterns but also takes action to prevent them from compromising the network.

By functioning as an additional layer of defense alongside the firewall, the IPS analyzes incoming and outgoing traffic for signs of intrusion or malicious activities. When a potential threat is detected, the IPS can automatically block that traffic, alerting network administrators to the issue and thereby minimizing the risk of data breaches or other security incidents. This proactive prevention, as opposed to reactive logging without action, is essential for maintaining a secure and resilient network environment.

The other options do not accurately represent the primary function and integration of IPS with firewalls, as they focus on unrelated functionalities such as encryption, basic logging without intervention, or bandwidth control, which are not central to the operational design of an IPS.