Evaluating the effectiveness of existing Intrusion Detection Systems in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)

Cyber threats are increasingly targeting small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs), but they usually do not have the resources necessary to put strong security measures in place. Although intrusion detection systems (IDS) are essential for protecting networks, their effectiveness in SMEs is constrained by resource limitations, high false positive rates, and configurations complexities. This study assesses the IDS management systems already in use in SMEs, identifies their deficiencies, and suggests an ideal Strategic IDS Management Framework catered to the requirements of SMEs.To evaluate IDS effectiveness, the study uses PCAP files for experimental validation, real-world data analysis, and literature review. To improve threat detection while lowering maintenance costs, the system incorporates weighted assessment models, improved rulesets, and asset-to-threat mapping. The results show decreased false alarms, increased accuracy, and better use of resources, making IDS deployment more practical for SMEs.This study contributes to a systematic strategy for efficient IDS management by offering SMEs practical insights and suggestions for enhancing their cybersecurity posture.