What is the common technique for testing the effectiveness of an active sensor?

The technique of conducting minimal intrusion tests is valuable for evaluating the effectiveness of an active sensor because it allows for the identification of the sensor's ability to detect low-level threats that may not trigger a strong response. By subjecting the sensor to minimal or subtle intrusion attempts, you can assess how well it can discern between normal activity and potential threats without overwhelming it with large-scale or high-frequency data that might mask or confuse its detection capabilities.

This approach helps in determining the baseline sensitivity of the sensor and ensures that it can maintain its operational integrity in real-world scenarios where attackers often employ stealthy methods. Moreover, minimal intrusion testing can reveal any blind spots in the sensor’s detection capabilities, allowing for fine-tuning and adjustments before deploying the system in a live environment.

In contrast, methods like applying maximum intrusion might not provide realistic insights into everyday threat scenarios, and testing in varying environments or using high-frequency test signals, while important for different aspects of system evaluation, does not specifically focus on the sensor's sensitivity and effectiveness for low-level intrusion detection.