What network is IOST?

Could you please elaborate on the network that IOST operates on? I'm curious to know if it's a standalone blockchain or if it utilizes a consensus mechanism similar to other popular networks. Also, how does the IOST network handle scalability and transaction throughput? Is it designed to support a wide range of decentralized applications, and what kind of security measures are in place to protect users' assets and data? Your insights would be greatly appreciated.