DPI integrates the functions of an intrusion prevention system (IPS) and an intrusion detection system (IDS) with a conventional firewall. It is commonly used by communication engineers and service providers to manage network traffic. They can control network traffic by allocating valuable network resources to high-priority data packets and messages.
Despite its many benefits, DPI has the following limitations:
- It is capable of producing new vulnerabilities in addition to protecting against the present types. Although it is successful against denial of service attacks (DoS attacks), buffer overflow attacks, and some kinds of malware, DPI could also be used to trigger those same types of attacks.
- It increases the complexity and cumbersome character of firewalls as well as other security-based software.
- It requires periodic updates and alterations to stay optimally efficient.
- When DPI is implemented, the processor remains busy and ultimately cannot free its resources for other user applications. This adversely affects the speed of the computer.
DPI is being used by governments to monitor and protect territorial cyber boundaries. DPI has also been used to inspect user activities, to maintain the security of big local and wide area networks, and to block malware and suspicious software. In addition, service providers make use of DPI to keep track of customers' Web-browsing habits. These customer details are then used by companies focused on targeted advertising.