Smart Detection: Reinforcement Learning for Network Intrusion Defense
Faheem Yar Khuhawar, Tayyaba Shaikh, Abdul Latif Memon, Irfan Ahmed Halepoto, Fahim Aziz Umrani, Rizwan Ali Shah, Hyder Bux Mangrio, Omar Bani Fayyad · IntechOpen eBooks · 2025
As cyber threats grow in complexity, the demand for intelligent and adaptive intrusion detection systems (IDS) is more critical than ever. Traditional machine learning models, while effective, often struggle to keep up with the dynamic and evolving nature of cyberattacks. This chapter presents an advanced approach to network intrusion detection using reinforcement learning (RL), a machine learning paradigm that enables systems to learn optimal actions through trial and error without the need for extensive retraining. Specifically, the proposed IDS leverages Q-learning, enhanced by dueling deep Q-learning (DQL) and double deep Q-networks (DDQN), to autonomously monitor and protect networks. By learning from its environment and making decisions based on real-time feedback, the system continuously improves its detection capabilities, even as new threats emerge. When tested on the CIC-IDS 2018 dataset, the DQL-based IDS achieved an impressive accuracy of 94%, significantly outperforming traditional machine learning algorithms such as Decision Trees, Random Forest, and XGBoost. Unlike conventional models constrained by static feature sets and predefined learning, the RL-driven IDS adapts dynamically to changing environments, offering robust detection of sophisticated intrusions. Despite its strong performance in simulated environments, the practical application of this approach to real-world scenarios presents challenges, such as ensuring scalability and handling diverse network conditions. Nonetheless, this research demonstrates the transformative potential of reinforcement learning in network security, paving the way for systems capable of autonomously detecting and responding to complex cyber threats in an efficient and adaptive manner.