In an embodiment, a system includes a processor with at least one core to execute an application to provide intrusion detection and protection, a radar sensor to detect presence of one or more persons within a detection zone about the system and to output a detection notification responsive to the presence detection, and a peripheral controller coupled to the radar sensor to receive the detection notification and to provide the detection notification to the application, where the application is to cause a protection measure to be performed responsive to the detection notification. Other embodiments are described and claimed.