An intrusion detection and analysis system and method are disclosed. The
system includes a data monitoring device comprising a capture engine
operable to capture data passing through the network and configured to
monitor network traffic, decode protocols, and analyze received data. The
system further includes an intrusion detection device comprising a
detection engine operable to perform intrusion detection on data provided
by the data monitoring device. Application program interfaces are
provided and configured to allow the intrusion detection device access to
applications of the data monitoring device to perform intrusion
detection. The system also includes memory for storing reference network
information used by the intrusion detection device to determine if an
intrusion has occurred.