Underdetecting

Underdetecting refers to the phenomenon where a security system, such as an intrusion detection or prevention system (IDS/IPS), fails to identify known threats, vulnerabilities, or malicious activities that it should be capable of detecting. This occurs when the system either misses legitimate threats or incorrectly classifies them as benign, leading to false negatives. Unlike false positives, which incorrectly flag non-threatening activity, underdetection results in threats going unnoticed, potentially compromising system security.

The causes of underdetection can vary. One common reason is the use of outdated or incomplete threat intelligence feeds, where the system lacks up-to-date signatures or patterns to recognize emerging or evolving threats. Another factor is the complexity of modern malware, which often employs obfuscation techniques to evade detection. Additionally, misconfigured rules or overly permissive settings in the security system may allow malicious activity to slip through undetected. Resource constraints, such as insufficient processing power or memory, can also limit a system’s ability to thoroughly analyze traffic or files.

Underdetection poses significant risks, as attackers exploit unnoticed breaches to gain unauthorized access, steal data, or deploy further malicious payloads. To mitigate this issue, organizations should regularly update their security systems with the latest threat intelligence, implement robust monitoring and logging practices, and conduct periodic audits to ensure proper configuration. Employing multiple layers of defense, such as combining signature-based detection with behavioral analysis, can also help reduce the likelihood of underdetection. Continuous testing and validation of security controls are essential to maintain effective threat detection capabilities.