A company is preparing to upgrade its NIDS at two locations around the world. The team plans to test four different platforms. All four platforms claim to have the most advanced features and lucrative pricing. Assuming all the platforms meet the functionality requirements, which of the following methods should be used to select the BEST platform?

A. Evaluate each platform based on TCO.
B. Perform a cost-benefit analysis for each platform.
C. Evaluate each platform based on ROI.
D. Develop an SLA to ensure the selected NIDS meets all performance requirements.

A
Explanation: To select the best platform, you should evaluate each platform based on total cost of ownership (TCO). This is the best metric to use because it includes all the costs associated with the device.
You should not perform a cost-benefit analysis for each platform. It is better to perform a TCO analysis, which is a type of cost-benefit analysis. Not all cost-benefit analyses are the same.
You should not evaluate each platform based on return on investment (ROI). This metric determines when you should expect a device to have paid for itself based on the amount of money it saves the company over time.
You should not develop an SLA to ensure the selected NIDS meets all performance requirements until you have determined which platform you will purchase.