What solution should a network administrator implement to improve network security by blocking malicious traffic and stopping network-based attacks?

Implementing a Network Intrusion Prevention System (NIPS) is an effective solution for improving network security by actively blocking malicious traffic and preventing network-based attacks. A NIPS analyzes network traffic in real-time, using signatures and heuristics to detect and respond to threats. When it identifies potential intrusions or malicious activity, it can take immediate action, such as dropping malicious packets, blocking traffic from certain IP addresses, or reconfiguring firewalls to protect the network from harm.

A NIPS operates at the network level, which is crucial for identifying and mitigating threats before they can affect the systems and data on the network. This proactive approach is vital in maintaining the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of network resources, making NIPS a preferred choice for organizations looking to strengthen their security posture against diverse attack vectors.

In contrast, other options like Host Intrusion Detection Systems (HIDS) and Host Intrusion Prevention Systems (HIPS) focus on protecting individual endpoints rather than the entire network, which limits their effectiveness against network-wide threats. Network Intrusion Detection System (NIDS) provides monitoring and alerts on malicious traffic but does not have the capability to block such traffic, which is a critical function of a NIPS.