Tripwire works at the most fundamental layer, protecting the servers and workstations that make up the corporate network. Tripwire works by first scanning a computer and creating a database of system files, a compact digital snapshot of the system in a known secure state. The user can configure Tripwire very precisely, specifying individual files and directories on each machine to monitor, or creating a standard template that can be used on all machines in an enterprisewide environment.

Once this baseline database is created, a system administrator can use Tripwire to check the integrity of a system at any time. By scanning the current system and comparing that information with the data stored in the database, Tripwire detects and reports any additions, deletions, or changes to the system outside of the specified boundaries. If these changes are valid, the administrator can update the baseline database with the new information. If malicious changes are found, the system administrator will instantly know exactly which part, which component etc. of the network have been affected.